LHC seeks immediate action on 3% disability job quota and delayed certificates

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Punjab government’s Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department and Special Education

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Punjab government’s Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department and Special Education Department to take immediate steps to implement its May 4, 2026 order concerning the rights and legal entitlements of persons with disabilities under the Punjab Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2022 (PEPWD Act). The court has also raised concerns over a seven-month delay in recruitment against reserved vacancies and a wait of up to three months for disability certificates, observing that such delays could undermine the effective implementation of the law.

The directions were issued in Muhammad Shahbaz v. Government of Punjab (W.P. No. 22954/2025) and Judicial Activism Panel v. Federation of Pakistan (W.P. No. 67449/2022), both involving issues related to the protection and implementation of rights of persons with disabilities.

The court expressed concern over the prolonged delay in filling vacancies advertised by the Special Education Department for persons with disabilities, including blind candidates. According to the proceedings, the recruitment process for some of these positions has remained pending for more than seven months, despite regular recruitment activity continuing within the department.

The LHC has sought detailed information from the concerned departments regarding the current status of the advertised vacancies, the reasons behind the delay, appointments made against reserved seats and measures being taken to ensure implementation of the 3% employment quota prescribed for persons with disabilities.

The court stressed the need for immediate appointments against already advertised positions for blind and other persons with disabilities, according to the notice issued in the matter.

Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised over delays in the issuance of disability certificates, which are essential for applicants seeking access to several legal and institutional facilities.

A field visit to Services Hospital, Lahore, on September 8, 2026, found that despite the availability of an online registration claim, applicants are still required to appear physically at the hospital. Applicants seeking certificates have to visit on Monday, Wednesday or Saturday, obtain tokens from 8:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis, and submit original CNICs, photographs, proof of residence and relevant medical records before appearing before the Medical Board.

Hospital officials said the complete process, from registration to issuance of the certificate, can take up to three months.

The delay has created difficulties for students, job seekers and families who depend on disability certificates to access educational opportunities, employment quotas and other protections available under the PEPWD Act.

The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has also been asked to clarify what measures have been taken to establish a genuine end-to-end digital system for disability certification.

The court observed that a service cannot effectively be described as fully online when applicants are still required to make repeated physical visits and rely on manual procedures to obtain documents connected with their legal rights.

The proceedings also referred to an earlier LHC order of February 11, 2026, under which a high-level committee headed by the Chairman of the Planning and Development Board approved an Action Plan covering accessible infrastructure, inclusive education, transportation, healthcare integration, employment quotas, a disability database and mobile-based services.

Legal observers said the latest court intervention is aimed at ensuring that the approved action plan moves beyond official documents and results in practical and time-bound relief.

The departments have been directed to submit compliance reports within the prescribed timeframe and improve the disability certificate system to make it accessible, transparent, efficient and genuinely digital.

Rights advocates have urged the Punjab government to complete the delayed recruitment process and ensure that the statutory rights of persons with disabilities are implemented in practice rather than remaining confined to official policies and legislation.

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