Content: Summary Report: ………………………………1

Program Rundown: ……………………………3

Press Coverage: ……………………………….4

Picture Story: …………………………………..8

Summary Report:

The Culture Fashion show, titled “Welcoming 2012: Culture Fashion Show of Persons

with Disabilities”, was jointly organized by Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP),

Monthly Pakistan Special, Embers and Shahzads Designs on December 29, 2011 in

National Library Islamabad.

Under this slogan, people with disabilities showcased their talent alongside

contemporary models in a unique cultural fashion show at the National Library on

Thursday.

A cheerful young girl on a wheelchair, dressed in a brinjal-coloured hand-stitched

dress, inaugurated the show. She was later joined by a male model who walked the

ramp alongside his co-host.

The models appeared on stage in twos, with one of each being physically disabled, and

won great applause from the audience as they walked down the ramp confidently.

“It was my first experience and given my disability I was nervous to face such a large

crowd. But the encouragement I got from them put me at ease,” said Naseema, looking

fabulous in a red and white dress. She suffered from polio when she was one and a half

years old; she presently works as a receptionist at the Family Health Hospital.

Shabab, 21, a student of B.Com said he loves to dress up but is often criticised by

people for wearing western clothes. He said that due to his large sized foot, he can only

wear tailor-made trousers. “But today I wore western clothes and the appreciation from

the audience really built my confidence,” he said. Shabab too became a victim of polio

when he was just one.

Asfandyar, a physically challenged student of ACCA, said the cultural fashion show

conveyed a message to the society that though we have a different way of moving

about, we are not different from other normal human beings. “We have the sense of

dressing and looking good and have an ability to showcase it on stage.”

Talking to , STEP President Atif Sheikh said such a cultural fashion show a first for

Pakistan. The purpose behind the show was to give the concept that a person sitting on

wheelchair or having a white can on his hand has an equal right to look beautiful. He

said special persons are rendering services in different fields and they want an

inclusive society in which they can enjoy an independent life.

The US ambassador’s wife, Dr Marilyn Wyatt, said the participants impressed her with

their confidence and performance. She said she has personal interest in disability

rights, being the mother, sister, and sister-in-law of persons with disabilities.

“Today they have proved that they are powerful, unique, inspiring, beautiful, handsome

and most of all confident,” she said.

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She added that such people are unique, powerful and impressive and expressed hope

that the recently ratified United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with

Disabilities (UNCRPD) will open new doors for them.

Special Education Director General Mustafain Qazmi said that under UNCRPD, his

department is focusing on reforming current laws and regulations so that they are more

inclusive of persons with disabilities. He said in the war against terrorism, a large

number of people were left disabled. He said the government is working on their

welfare but they need collaboration of all the stakeholders, including the civil society,

philanthropists, private sector, non-government organizations and UN agencies.

He said that in last Special Olympics held in Athens, Pakistanis won 57 medals. “They

have always proved themselves to be capable and have proved their mettle in every

field.”

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) presented a colorful fashion show 'Missing Models of

Pakistan' for the first time in the history of the country.

Attired in beautiful traditional costumes, 40 models of Persons With Disabilities

performed beautifully on the small ram decorated with white and red flowers.

Wife of US ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Marilyn Wyatt was chief guest at the show,

jointly organized by Special Talent Exchange Program, Monthly Pakistan Special,

International Labor Organization, and Directorate General of Special Education,

Shahzads and Embers Designs.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Wyatt said the participants impressed her with their

confidence and performance. She said that she has great affection with such people as

she is a mother, sister and sister of law of persons with disabilities.

She added that they are unique, powerful and impressive and the recently ratified

United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) would open

doors for the special persons in Pakistan.

Chairperson Special Talent Exchange Program, Atif Sheikh, said the reason of

conducting fashion show for persons with disabilities was to give the concept that a

person sitting on wheel chair or having a white can on his hand has also equal right to

look beautiful.

He said special persons are rendering services in different fields and they want to

create an inclusive society in which PWDs can enjoy independent life.

Director General Special Education, Mustafain Qazmi speaking on the occasion said the

Directorate is now focusing on reviewing currents laws and regulations for persons

with disabilities according to UNCRPD. (APP)

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Program Rundown:

Venue: National Library Islamabad

Detail Time

Arrival of Guests 02:30 pm

Opening Speech 03:00 pm

Fashion Show 03:05 pm ~ 04:20 pm

Speech of the Chief Guest 04:20 pm

Vote of thanks 04:30 pm

Group Photo with Models 04:35 pm

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Press Coverage:

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The Daily Time

Link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=29594&title=PWD-stages-fashion-show-for-

handicapped-

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Video Release on Dunya News TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCA1rJpJ688

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Picture Story:

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