President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity, rights and full participation of persons with visual impairment, marking World Braille Day observed on January 4.
In a message issued on the occasion, the president extended greetings to persons with visual impairment across the country and underscored the importance of inclusion in national life. He said World Braille Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, whose system of tactile literacy opened doors to education, information and self-reliance for millions worldwide.
The president noted that Braille is not only a tool for reading and writing but also a symbol of independence, confidence and equal opportunity. He recalled that Pakistan was founded on principles of equality, social justice and respect for human dignity, adding that national progress depends on enabling every citizen to contribute meaningfully to society.
President Zardari emphasised that accessible education, inclusive public services and equal opportunities for persons with visual impairment are both a constitutional responsibility and a moral obligation. He said Pakistan remains committed to promoting Braille literacy, inclusive curricula and the use of assistive and digital technologies to expand access to learning and information.
He also stressed the need to integrate accessibility standards across public buildings, government services and digital platforms to ensure that no citizen is excluded from civic life.
The president said the country continues to honour commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals, which call for inclusive and equitable societies.
President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to persons with visual impairment for their resilience, as well as to educators, parents, caregivers and organisations working to promote Braille education and social inclusion. He urged federal and provincial governments, institutions, civil society, the private sector and communities to work together to remove barriers and strengthen accessibility.
“By fostering a culture of empathy and inclusion, we can move closer to a Pakistan where every individual is empowered to realise their full potential. Pakistan Paindabad,” the president said.
Meanwhile, president Asif Ali Zardari has extended warm felicitations to Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing as well as to the government and people of Myanmar on the 78th anniversary of the country’s Independence Day.
In a message issued on the occasion, the president conveyed greetings on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan and highlighted the long-standing cordial relations between Pakistan and Myanmar. He said the ties between the two countries are rooted in mutual respect and understanding dating back to the early years following Myanmar’s independence, and are reinforced by historic cultural links and goodwill between the two peoples.
President Zardari noted that bilateral relations have continued to evolve over time, with growing engagement in areas including trade, defence, health, culture and people-to-people exchanges. He expressed confidence that there remains significant potential to further expand cooperation through practical initiatives and closer institutional linkages serving the shared interests of both countries.
The president said Pakistan attaches importance to working with Myanmar to promote peace, stability and development in the wider region. He added that both countries, as active members of the United Nations and other international forums, value cooperation on issues of mutual concern based on respect for sovereignty, dialogue and multilateralism.
President Zardari acknowledged Myanmar’s important role within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for regional stability and economic integration. He said Pakistan, as a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, remains interested in strengthening engagement with ASEAN and its member states, including Myanmar, to promote connectivity, development and mutual understanding.
The president reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen bilateral contacts with Myanmar and encouraged greater interaction between the public and private sectors of the two countries, noting that such engagement could help translate longstanding goodwill into tangible outcomes for their peoples.