November 25, 2025
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE
Even as the weather turns colder, the blind persons’ sit-in at Lahore’s Charing Cross enters its 16th day, where demonstrators from various cities across the province remain steadfast in their demands. They are sitting under the open skies, in challenging circumstances due to a serious lack of basic facilities. Multiple rounds of negotiations between the government and protesters have so far remained inconclusive, causing deep frustration and disappointment among the participants.
The demonstrators say that there has been no provision by anyone for shelter, basic necessities or even drinking water and restroom facilities. They say the attitude of the government is as cold as the weather and the legitimate demands made by the blind community are not being taken seriously.
Faheem, a participant from Chakwal, told Voicepk that they have been enduring the severe winter under the open sky for several days.
“There is no restroom here, nor any place to wash or bathe,” he says. “But we are sitting here for our rights, not for comfort. Government representatives have come, but they have not taken any practical steps.”
The demands are simple and few. The first is that out of the three percent government quota reserved for persons with disabilities (PWDs), one percent should be specifically allocated for visually impaired individuals. Their second demand is the regularization of visually impaired employees who have been working on daily wages in various departments for several years. The third demand is the immediate filling of vacant government positions on quota basis, so that visually impaired persons can receive employment according to their education and skills.
Muhammad Hamza, the Vice President of the Punjab Blind Daily Wager Union said that their jobs were being terminated and the government was offering them a monthly stipend of Rs12,000 instead.
“We do not want charity; we want dignified employment,” he said speaking to Voicepk. “More than 3,000 posts are vacant. If the government is sincere, it should immediately fill these positions and provide us employment according to our rights.”
Hamza adds that constant delaying tactics and lack of seriousness from the government has led to growing despair among the blind persons.
The protesters claim that provincial minister for social welfare, Sohail Shaukat Butt, has visited the sit-in for negotiations but has not accepted all their demands. According to the demonstrators, the minister left after saying that the government would review their demands. The sit-in participants say they have been given empty assurances and false promises for years, but no practical policy or decision has been implemented.
Monthly stipend to placate?
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has announced that 5,000 registered blind persons across the province will be given a monthly stipend of Rs12,000, and the three percent quota for persons with disabilities will be strictly enforced. However, the participants of the sit-in have completely rejected this announcement. They argue that they do not want charity or stipends, but formal employment and permanent positions that can provide them financial stability and the right to live with dignity.
The blind persons say their protest will continue until the government presents a clear policy, written guarantees, and concrete steps to address their demands. It is noteworthy that this is not their first sit-in or protest.
For several years, they have repeatedly held protests and sit-ins. Last year as well, they gathered at Charing Cross in Lahore with the same demands, staged a days-long sit-in, and ended their protest only after assurances from the provincial government.