Against the historic backdrop of Lahore Fort, NOWPDP (Network of Organizations Working for People with Disabilities) convened Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Bhatti, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab on Education, Mr. Ben Warrington, Head of the Lahore Office of the British High Commission Sarwat Gillani, Fahad Mirza, representatives from corporate sector such as Faysal Bank and Outfitters, development sector representatives and social advocates for the NOWPDP Rickshaw March 2026, an initiative designed to reposition disability inclusion as an economic priority rather than a social afterthought.
More than a ceremonial gathering, the March spotlighted a working model of empowerment rooted in mobility, enterprise and systemic integration.
For over 17 years, NOWPDP has focused on building long-term pathways for persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in Pakistan’s economy. A key pillar of this approach is The Rickshaw Project (TRP), launched in 2012 to provide customized rickshaws that enable independent mobility while creating income-generating opportunities for persons with disabilities.
What began as an access initiative has evolved into a structured empowerment model. Beneficiaries are trained in driving, entrepreneurship and business management, ensuring that mobility translates directly into sustainable livelihood.
The event commenced with an overview of NOWPDP’s mandate and impact, followed by the national anthem performed by persons with disabilities, reinforcing representation at the heart of the program.
Omair Ahmad, CEO – NOWPDP, emphasized the organization’s long-term vision:
“This initiative is about embedding inclusion within economic systems. The Rickshaw Project is designed to ensure persons with disabilities are not positioned at the margins, but fully integrated as active contributors to the workforce.”
Keynote Speaker Mr Shakeel Ahmed Bhatti, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Education, connected the initiative to policy and institutional reform:
“If inclusion is to be meaningful, it must reflect in education, employment structures and governance frameworks. Models like this demonstrate how partnerships can help dismantle long-standing structural barriers.”
Beyond the stage, the event format encouraged experiential understanding. Engagement zones featured inclusive art spaces, beneficiary-led showcases, assistive technology displays and simulation activities such as the Blind Walk, shifting awareness from observation to participation.
The Rickshaw March served as the defining moment of the event. Moving through one of Pakistan’s most iconic landmarks, the procession symbolized autonomy, visibility and access to income, reframing mobility as a gateway to economic agency.
Opening the March, HSY, Global Brand Ambassador NOWPDP and host of the Rickshaw March 2026, reflected on the broader cultural significance:
“Inclusion must be embedded into the social fabric, not treated as an exception. When persons with disabilities are visible as professionals and entrepreneurs, perceptions begin to shift.”
Through its Center of Excellence for Financial Inclusion (CEFI) in Lahore, NOWPDP continues to expand across Punjab. Its framework integrates mobility solutions, corporate collaboration, skills development and advocacy, aligning social inclusion with economic participation.
The selection of Lahore Fort as the venue carried symbolic weight. By situating persons with disabilities within a national heritage site, the March reinforced a clear message: inclusion belongs at the center of civic life.
As conversations around inclusive growth gain momentum nationwide, the Rickshaw March 2026 presents a tangible model, one where infrastructure meets opportunity, policy meets practice, and mobility becomes a driver of economic value.
