Features

Exhibition Redefines Ability Finding confidence in every stitch: Inside KDSP’s graduation where ‘thesis’ means a product, a skill, and a paycheck KARACHI: The room was loud with pride. Eight students stood by tables displaying tote bags, paintings, screen-printed handbags, painted canvases, cushion covers, and pouches stitched with their own names on them. This is KDSP’s idea of a “thesis.” Not a paper. A proof. Proof that years of training can turn into a skill, and a skill can turn into independence. It is easy to group all children under one word — “special.” But at the Karachi Down Syndrome Program, they don’t. Because a child with Down Syndrome learns differently than a child with CP. An autistic student needs a different kind of classroom than any other child. Launched in March 2014, the Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP) is a prominent non-profit organization advocating for the value, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome. Based in Karachi, KDSP operates as a “one-stop solution” providing comprehensive, highly subsidized developmental services to individuals and their families. But “special” is not a plan. And it is not the same for everyone: We called them “special.” And then we used that word as a reason to keep them on the margins. Out of regular schools. Out of job lists. Out of the story we tell about who gets to be useful. A child with CP faces physical challenges and needs mobility support. An autistic child navigates the world differently and needs structure and sensory understanding. A child with Down Syndrome often learns at a different pace and needs repetition, speech therapy, and patience — but also gives back warmth, honesty, and a remarkable ability to master routine work. Their needs are not the same. So their training cannot be the same either. The moment we start calling everyone by one word, we stop seeing the person. A room where ability is displayed, not debated: Last week I had the opportunity to visit the graduation exhibition of 8 students who completed KDSP’s 3-year Education For Life, EFL Graduation Program.   In a city with hundreds of NGOs, very few truly invest in the development of individuals. KDSP is among those few. Here, funding does not end at a ceremony. It becomes years of therapy. It becomes a classroom. It becomes a young adult learning to count change, write an invoice, and stand behind a table that says “Made by me.” CEO: “We don’t do one-size-fits-all” While explaining the mission and vision of KDSP, CEO Ms. Tabish Shahzad said their entire focus is on developing an inclusive society. “From early childhood development to adolescence and beyond, our goal is to take each child to a place where they are fully independent and can be a useful citizen,” she explained. “Every child with Down Syndrome has challenges — speech or communication, lack of focus, behavioral and mental health issues. For each challenge we have diversified programs and counselling sessions. We don’t do one-size-fits-all,” Tabish added, head held high. Different Needs, Different Names, Same Dignity We cannot call everyone “special” and think the job is done. Ms. Sidra Sajid, Skill Development Facilitator for Education For Life, EFL, explained how that works on the ground. “We have a proper organizational structure to support the ultimate EFL program,” she said. “For every vocation and skill, we have trained vocational teachers. It’s not volunteers coming once a month. It’s daily, structured training.” Supporting them are Managers and Assistant Managers who oversee every faculty: Ms. Umaima Shafqat, Ms. Ayesha Shahid, Ms. Sania Siddiqui, Ms. Mahzeb Fahim, and Ms. Asma Urooj. They put in all their efforts in various skill development programs and maintain keen observation of students’ challenges, how to resolve them, and facilitate them through various programs. Ms. Sidra explained that the KDSP EFL Graduation Program reflects a philosophy with two clear dimensions. First, Life: Basic academics. How to travel. How to manage money. How to carry out everyday chores without depending on anyone. The dignity of doing it yourself. It is obligatory to learn numeracy, computer literacy, cooking, and life skills. Second, Livelihood: Vocational training and skills that actually sell. Baking. Stitching. Screen printing. Block printing. Weaving. Photography. Making clay items. Things that turn into a product, a service, and an income. The room proved both. White tablecloths. Hand-written price tags. Students standing behind their own work, explaining it in their own words. Talking about the graduates, Ms. Sania Siddiqui added with quiet pride: “Most of them are already earning for their families through their craft. Like Unzila, one of our graduates, who has excelled in splatter painting and has completed her internship at Engro Martin Dow and KDSP itself. And Hasan Mansoor, who is a master of quilling craft. His products are already being offered for sale through KDSP’s own sales outlet, Lehr.” Lehr, headed by Ms. Mehak, is KDSP’s retail space where students’ products — from baked goods to crafts like Hasan’s quilling — are sold to the public. It is the final step of the program: moving from classroom to customer. A proud moment for mentors: Ms. Sadia Navaid, Quilling Class mentor, who has been associated with KDSP for several years, stood by Hasan’s table watching visitors admire his work. “I have seen these children struggle with paper strips in their early classes,” she said. “Tiny fingers, no focus, paper tearing. And today, to see them become masters and make such awesome products… it’s been a journey.” She paused, eyes on Hasan as he explained his design to a customer. “This journey has shown me several sides of life, and the blessings of Allah. These children are my pride and my medals of achievement. It was wonderful to see them grow, along with parents who put in their hundred percent to help them reach the summit.” Chef Zainab served freshly baked items. Ms. Samina, their painting guru, watched her students with the same pride. It was indeed a proud moment for all of them. From

In a rare but welcome gesture, Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jameeli, serving his second consecutive term, hosted a luncheon for women journalists to hear their concerns and suggestions firsthand. A good number of female journalists attended. KPC General Secretary Aslam Khan and governing body member Sheema Siddiqua were also present. For women journalists in Karachi, the newsroom is only half the story. Beyond deadlines, beats, and breaking news, they carry the weight of a double role — as working professionals and as homemakers. It is this unseen labor that makes spaces like the KPC luncheon significant — not just as a meeting, but as recognition that their challenges are different, and their voices need a dedicated forum. During the discussion, President Fazil Jameeli disclosed that the Sindh government’s Pink Scooty scheme was initially his brainchild. He said he had advised the Sindh Minister for Information and Transport, Mr Sharjeel Inam Memon, to launch it to empower women, building on the province’s existing Pink Bus service for females. The conversation moved beyond formalities to everyday issues — from canteen management and cleanliness to broader facilities. Jameeli briefed the gathering on ongoing initiatives, including the Pink Scooty Training program and the club’s pending requisition to the Sindh government for support. More importantly, he sought concrete recommendations from the women present on making KPC’s services more inclusive, signaling a shift from token representation to real consultation. The luncheon concluded with a vote of thanks from women members. Later, in an interview, President Fazil Jameeli — a poet and writer of repute who enjoys great respect in literary and scholarly circles — outlined the elected body’s plans. Known for his thoughtful verse and warm leadership, he spoke with vision and clarity about expanding facilities and empowering members. In a major announcement, he said: “KPC will be the first club in Pakistan to introduce daycare centers for women members. This will help them work with greater peace of mind.” While the Women Development Department had committed to building one, no action has followed. KPC is now approaching the corporate sector and overseas Pakistanis for support. The women’s complex infrastructure is ready, but running a daycare will require significant expense — trained governesses, teachers, a nutritionist, and food for toddlers and school-going children. “This project is very close to my heart,” he said. Jameeli added that the club was preparing women journalists for the digital media boom. “We have already set up a state-of-the-art studio. Dozens are already benefiting by making vlogs and monetizing their channels,” he said. The aim, he noted, is to help women become financially independent through digital content. He also highlighted a major opportunity: Sindh government financing for digital projects. “The Sindh government has offered to finance documentaries and digital content that showcase Sindh to the world,” he said. The scope includes the province’s landscape, rivers, coastline, Indus Delta, history, culture, languages, Sufi heritage, folk music, handicrafts, cuisine, and ancient civilizations like Mohenjo-daro and Kot Diji, as well as contributions of Sindhi scholars, poets and leaders. “From the government’s point of view, this is about narrative building,” he said. “They want young content creators to tell Sindh’s real story — its pluralism, resilience and heritage — through modern digital platforms. In return, the Sindh government will provide financial support for quality projects that project a positive image of the province.” On sustainability, Fazil Jameeli said KPC was the only club in Pakistan working on green energy. The current body was enhancing solar capacity with larger panels and better batteries to make the club more self-reliant and cut electricity costs. He also updated members on KPC Media Town. A summary sent to the provincial government has been approved for sewerage, drainage, roads and other infrastructure at Hawksbay Media Town. The President further said the body was considering a big family picnic and an annual family gala. Recommendations are being invited from women members to make club life more inclusive. Wrapping up, Jameeli said; the focus is clear: to make KPC more inclusive, self-reliant and future-ready. “From green energy and Media Town infrastructure to daycare centers, digital studios and skill programs for women, the aim is to build a club where every member — especially women — feels supported. These are not just projects. They are steps toward a KPC that reflects the creativity, resilience and spirit of its journalists.

The process of announcing unofficial and unofficially unverified results has begun following polling in 13 constituencies of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly. According to the initial results, a close contest is underway between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) across several constituencies. Polling was held on Monday in 13 constituencies across Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber. Voting officially ended at 5pm, while an additional hour was provided for voters already present at polling stations. Counting subsequently began, with initial unofficial results now being received. In LA-1 Mirpur-1, unofficial results from 107 of 139 polling stations show PML-N candidate Azhar Sadiq leading with 12,303 votes. PPP’s Muhammad Afsar Shahid is second with 7,278 votes. In LA-2 Mirpur-2, results from 49 of 149 polling stations show PPP’s Qasim Majeed ahead with 3,663 votes, while PML-N’s Azim Bakhsh Chaudhry has secured 3,570 votes. In LA-3 Mirpur-3, unofficial results from 131 of 161 polling stations put PPP candidate Chaudhry Yasir Sultan in the lead with 9,361 votes. PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed is close behind with 9,100 votes. In LA-4 Mirpur-4, results from 16 of 162 polling stations show PML-N’s Chaudhry Rukhsar Ahmed leading with 2,021 votes. PPP candidate Chaudhry Sohaib Arshad has received 1,288 votes. In LA-5 Bhimber-1, PML-N candidate Waqar Ahmed Noor is leading with 21,573 votes based on results from 115 of 176 polling stations. PPP’s Chaudhry Pervez Ashraf is second with 18,406 votes. In LA-6 Bhimber-2, PML-N’s Chaudhry Muhammad Razzaq has taken the lead with 21,210 votes from 100 of 195 polling stations. Ali Shan Chaudhry of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party is in second place with 11,354 votes. In LA-7 Bhimber-3, unofficial results from 51 of 237 polling stations show PML-N candidate Chaudhry Tariq Farooq leading with 9,178 votes. Independent candidate Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq has secured 5,064 votes. In LA-8 Kotli-1, PPP’s Zafar Iqbal Malik is narrowly leading with 1,221 votes based on results from 10 of 155 polling stations. PML-N’s Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan has 1,174 votes. In LA-9 Kotli-2, PML-N candidate Umair Naeem has established a lead with 23,568 votes from 119 of 178 polling stations. PPP’s Javed Iqbal Budhanvi is second with 15,382 votes. In LA-10 Kotli-3, PPP’s Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin is leading with 6,999 votes based on results from 36 of 169 polling stations. PML-N candidate Fateh Mahmood-ul-Hassan has 3,560 votes. In LA-11 Kotli-4, initial results from just two of 206 polling stations show PPP’s Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq ahead with 254 votes. PML-N’s Muhammad Asif has received 148 votes. In LA-12 Kotli-5, PPP candidate Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin is leading with 2,613 votes from 40 of 207 polling stations. PML-N’s Muhammad Riasat Khan is second with 1,255 votes. In LA-13 Kotli-6, unofficial results from 110 of 193 polling stations show PML-N’s Raja Ayaz Ahmed Khan leading with 13,063 votes. PPP candidate Muhammad Waleed Inqalabi is second with 8,995 votes. The results remain unofficial and incomplete, with counting still underway in several constituencies. The final outcome will be determined after the completion of counting and the official announcement by the relevant election authorities.