Syed Murad Ali Shah unveils digital job portal for persons with disabilities

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved the establishment of a dedicated digital job portal and grievance redressal system for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the province.

Karachi: In a significant move to promote inclusive employment and institutional support, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved the establishment of a dedicated digital job portal and grievance redressal system for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the province.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting at the CM House, attended by senior officials including Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) Tauha Ahmed Faruqui, Vice Chancellor of Sukkur Institute of Business Administration Prof. Asif Ahmed Shaikh, and DEPD Consultant Samad Channa.

AI-Based Job Matching and Multilingual Access

The digital platform, being developed in collaboration with Sukkur IBA, will feature artificial intelligence-based job matching to connect qualified candidates with suitable vacancies in government departments. The portal will offer multilingual support in Urdu, Sindhi, and English to ensure accessibility for users across the province.

Officials briefed the chief minister that the system will directly link PWDs with provincial government departments, aiming to ensure merit-based recruitment and enhance transparency in hiring processes.

In addition to employment services, the portal will integrate a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism. This module will allow individuals to file complaints related to recruitment, workplace discrimination, or denial of rights, with built-in tracking to ensure timely resolution.

Phased Timeline for Implementation

According to the briefing, the project will follow a structured rollout plan. A working prototype of the system is expected to be ready by February 2026. The full job portal is scheduled to become operational by May 2026, while the grievance redressal module will go live by July 2026.

The chief minister directed concerned departments to adhere strictly to the timeline and ensure that the system meets international accessibility standards.

Backed by Legal Framework

Murad Ali Shah emphasized that the initiative is aligned with the Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018, which provides a comprehensive legal framework for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Sindh.

Under the law, the provincial government is obligated to guarantee equal opportunities in education, employment, healthcare, and public life. The legislation also mandates the enforcement of a five percent employment quota for persons with disabilities in all government departments.

Other key provisions include the implementation of inclusive education policies, province-wide awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, and the submission of annual progress reports to monitor compliance and measure impact.

Toward Greater Inclusion

Calling the initiative a step toward digital empowerment, the chief minister stated that the new system would help ensure dignity, independence, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in mainstream society.

Officials expressed confidence that the integrated portal would not only streamline recruitment but also strengthen institutional accountability, marking a new chapter in Sindh’s efforts to promote inclusive governance.