Financial and Legal Support
Many parents do not know about funding, subsidies, scholarships, or legal rights available to them. This page links to NGOs, government programs, and charity support that may help. We curate and link—we do not endorse or provide these services.
NGOs providing financial aid
Reputable NGOs in Pakistan provide financial assistance, specialized education, and medical support for children with special needs. Many use sponsorship or zakat-based models so families from low-income backgrounds can access therapies and equipment.
- Milestone Society for the Special Persons
Affordable or free assistive devices (e.g. wheelchairs), financial support for independent living and skill development. Led by people with disabilities.
- Rising Sun Institute (RSI)
Lahore. One of the largest providers of special education and rehabilitation. Financial aid and scholarships for therapy and schooling.
- Fountain House
Programs for children with intellectual disabilities; subsidized care and financial support.
- KVTC (Karachi Vocational Training Centre)
Sponsorship program covering costs for students from underprivileged families. Employment training for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
- Dar-ul-Sukun
Home and medical care for children with severe physical and mental disabilities. Free services for those abandoned or in extreme hardship.
- Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PSRD)
Orthopedic surgery, physiotherapy, artificial limbs. Patient Welfare department for financial assistance and mobility aids.
- Al-Khidmat Foundation
Mawakhat Program and Special Education wing. Financial grants and equipment (hearing aids, wheelchairs) across Pakistan.
How to apply: Contact the Social Welfare Officer at these NGOs. You will typically need the child's B-Form, guardian's CNIC, and a medical or disability certificate from a government hospital or Social Welfare Department.
Therapy subsidies
Many NGOs offer therapy subsidies through Zakat funds or "Sponsor a Child" programs—covering speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy.
- Shifa Foundation (Islamabad/Rawalpindi)
Therapy session support. Subsidized Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Behavioral Therapy (ABA).
- ACELP (Karachi)
Diagnostics and therapies. Sponsor a child's fee for low-income families. OT and PT in morning and afternoon shifts.
- KVTC (Karachi)
Services including specialized therapies free of cost for enrolled students. Zakat-funded.
- Noor Zainab Rehabilitation Centre (Lahore)
Community Based Rehabilitation. Specialized schooling and therapy (Speech, Physical) at subsidized rates based on need.
Key information: Most centres require an initial multidisciplinary assessment before approving subsidies. For full subsidies you may need a Zakat eligibility form and proof of income. Ask about "OPD sessions" if you do not want full-time schooling—often available at lower rates.
Scholarship programs
Scholarships for children and students with special needs are offered through provincial endowment funds, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, and private or NGO programs. Many cover tuition and some provide a monthly stipend.
- Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) – Special Quota
Scholarships for Intermediate and Graduation. Criteria: 60%+ marks, family income below 60,000 PKR.
- Sindh Educational Endowment Fund (SEEF)
Full tuition coverage. 2% of scholarships reserved for students with special needs.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation (KPEF)
Merit-cum-inaffordability scholarships including provisions for exceptional disabled children.
- Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) – Educational Assistance
Stipends for needy, poor, and disabled students. Covers admission, tuition, boarding. Bonafide certificate and application required.
- Dunya Foundation
High school scholarship for differently-abled students.
- NOWPDP
Educational support and Empowerment Grants for students with disabilities in higher education.
- HEC Need-Based Scholarships
University level: fee waivers and monthly stipends (approx. 6,000 PKR) for students with disabilities.
Required documents (typical): Disability certificate (DHQ/THQ or Social Welfare); CNIC or B-Form of student and guardian; income certificate or salary slip; proof of enrollment from school or university.
Charity support
Large welfare trusts provide direct relief such as free medical equipment, monthly stipends, or prosthetic devices where specialized NGOs may have long waiting lists.
- Saylani Welfare International Trust
Free medical consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines. Family Adoption program with monthly support and rations. 125+ branches.
- Edhi Foundation
Edhi Homes for children with special needs, free ambulance, crutches, wheelchairs. Visit any Edhi Center; for equipment provide disability certificate.
- Alamgir Welfare Trust
Free medicines and diagnostic tests (MRI, CT). Physiotherapy unit for children with cerebral palsy or motor disabilities.
- Alkhidmat Foundation
Special Education and Rehabilitation. Wheelchairs, hearing aids, tricycles. Mawakhat interest-free loans for small businesses.
- PSRD (Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled)
Largest orthotics and prosthetics workshop. Subsidized or free artificial limbs and corrective surgeries.
Government programs
Government programs for children with special needs are primarily managed at the provincial level, with federal support providing a baseline for financial aid. Schemes and amounts can change—verify details with the relevant office.
Federal (nationwide)
- Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)
Largest safety net. Families with children who have disabilities are prioritized under Benazir Kafaalat (quarterly cash transfers). Benazir Taleemi Wazaif provides additional quarterly stipends for children enrolled in school. Registration: send CNIC to 8171 or visit a BISP Tehsil office for the NSER survey.
- Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) – Rehabilitation assistance
Financial assistance for rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, including funds for artificial limbs, hearing aids, wheelchairs, and a general financial grant.
Punjab
- Himmat Card
Specialized ATM card for persons with disabilities. Provides a monthly stipend (approx. 2,500–5,000 PKR) to those not fit for work.
- Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) – Special Quota
Reserves a Special Quota scholarship for students with disabilities from Intermediate to Graduation levels.
- PSER (Punjab Socio-Economic Registry)
Register once to become eligible for multiple schemes, including free assistive devices and health insurance.
Sindh
- Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD)
Provides specialized schooling and vocational training for persons with disabilities.
- C-ARTS (Centre for Autism, Rehabilitation and Training Sindh)
First government-run autism centre of its kind in Pakistan, providing free therapy and training.
- Assistive Devices Programme (Sindh)
Provincial programme providing free wheelchairs and hearing aids, often manufactured locally in partnership with universities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)
- Ehsaas Umeed Programme
Monthly stipend (approx. 5,000 PKR) specifically for individuals with severe disabilities.
- Free transport for special education students
KPK Social Welfare Department provides free transport (mini-buses and vans) for students enrolled in special education institutions.
- Insaf Card (Health)
Covers specialized surgeries and rehabilitation costs for disabled children in private and public hospitals.
Essential step: the Special CNIC
To access most government benefits, the child or guardian (if the child is a minor) must have a Disability Certificate from the Social Welfare Department, which then allows NADRA to issue a Special CNIC (marked with a wheelchair logo). This card grants a 50% discount on air and rail travel, exemption from certain taxes on assistive devices, and priority access in hospitals and government offices.
Legal rights
Basic areas to be aware of include disability rights, educational inclusion, and special education rights in Pakistan. This is for general awareness only—for legal advice, consult a qualified professional.
The right to inclusive education
- Under the ICT Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2020) and the Punjab Empowerment Act (2022), education is a fundamental right.
- Non-discrimination: no educational institution (public or private) can deny admission based on disability.
- Reasonable accommodation: schools must provide reasonable accommodations, including physical access (ramps) and alternative learning materials (Braille, sign language).
- Free education: most provincial laws mandate free education for children with disabilities in government institutions up to university level.
Accessibility and mobility rights
- Barrier-free access: new public buildings, parks, and hospitals must follow universal accessibility standards.
- Travel discounts: Special CNIC holders are entitled to a 50% discount on air and railway fares.
- Dedicated parking: public spaces must have designated parking nearest to the entrance.
Employment quotas
- Sindh: a 5% quota in both public and private sectors.
- Punjab and Federal: a 3% quota for government jobs (increased in many sectors).
- Non-compliance: private companies that do not meet the quota may pay into a government Disability Fund.
Right to health and rehabilitation
- Priority treatment: children with special needs should receive priority in government hospitals.
- Free assistive devices: under Bait-ul-Mal and provincial schemes, children have a right to free wheelchairs, hearing aids, and artificial limbs.
- Sehat Card Plus (KPK/Punjab): in some provinces, specialized surgeries and rehabilitation are covered under health insurance cards.
Protection from abuse
- It is a criminal offense to treat a person with a disability in an inhuman or degrading manner.
- Persons with disabilities have the same rights to privacy regarding home, family, and communication as any other citizen.
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