Disability Rights Pakistan Project #70767

Self-Employment for Persons with Disabilities

by Network of Organizations Working for People with Disabilities, Pakistan

Project Report | Aug 28, 2026
Creating Livelihoods on Wheels for PWDs

By Rida Zainab | Associate, Resource Mobilization

Distribution Ceremony at NOWPDP

Dear Supporters,

For persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Pakistan, poverty is often compounded by barriers to education, employment, mobility, and access to basic services. The data reflects this disparity: nationally, 74.9% of adults with significant functional disabilities experience multidimensional poverty, compared to 44.1% of adults without functional difficulties. In Sindh, the gap remains substantial, with multidimensional poverty affecting 73.8% of adults with significant functional disabilities, compared to 52.1% of those without functional difficulties (Disability Data Initiative - World Bank, based on PDHS 2017-2018).

These barriers are particularly difficult to overcome in rural areas, where formal employment opportunities are limited and access to accessible transport and workplaces can be even more challenging. Through NOWPDP’s Khudmukhtari initiative, we are working to address this gap by creating opportunities for persons with disabilities to earn independently through self-employment.

Recently, we provided three hand-controlled, retrofitted rickshaws and one retrofitted loader to four persons with disabilities from rural Sindh. These vehicles are enabling their owners to pursue transport and delivery-based businesses, creating a source of income that can help them support themselves and their families.

For many persons with disabilities, access to an opportunity begins with access to the right tools. By making mobility more accessible and providing the means to earn, these businesses are opening pathways to greater financial independence and participation in their communities. This support also demonstrates how greater access and opportunity can help persons with disabilities overcome barriers and contribute to their families and local communities.

There are many more persons with disabilities across Pakistan who have the skills and determination to build livelihoods of their own but lack the resources to get started. Your support can help provide these resources, helping create more pathways to self-employment and ensuring that disability is not a barrier to earning a dignified livelihood.

With love,
Team NOWPDP

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Apr 30, 2026
Empowering Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

By Rida Zainab | Associate, Resource Mobilization

Sahiba, Retail business owner in Karachi

Dear supporters,

Across Pakistan, persons with disabilities continue to face significant barriers in accessing income-generating opportunities, despite having the skills and determination to work. Through our Khudmukhtari initiative, we remain committed to enabling persons with disabilities to move toward financial independence through self-employment.

Over the past couple of months, we have facilitated the setup of 28 microenterprises led by persons with disabilities across Pakistan, collectively impacting over 140 lives. These businesses span a range of sectors, including stitching, transport, retail, and food, reflecting both the diverse skills of participants and the adaptability of self-employment pathways.

Each business is more than just a source of income. From women managing stitching setups at home to individuals using retrofitted loaders for transport and delivery, these efforts are helping people earn and support their households in both rural and urban areas. In many cases, one business supports an entire family. As these businesses continue to run and grow, they also show what persons with disabilities can achieve when given the right support.

Sahiba’s Story

After losing her business and financial independence, Sahiba was determined to rebuild her livelihood despite significant mobility and financial challenges. With no stable income, she began selling small items to get by. Through NOWPDP’s support, she received a safe tricycle to improve her mobility, along with financial assistance, supplier linkages, and basic business training to restart her work. Within just one week, Sahiba began earning a profit, retaining nearly 70% of her revenue. Her journey reflects how access to the right tools and support can enable persons with disabilities to regain independence and build sustainable livelihoods.

There are many more individuals who aspire to build livelihoods of their own but lack access to the necessary resources. Your continued support allows us to expand this impact; enabling more persons with disabilities to start and sustain their own businesses, and take control of their futures.

With gratitude,
Team NOWPDP

Sahiba, Retail business owner in Karachi

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Jan 2, 2026
Expanding Pathways to Self-Employment

By Rida Zainab | Associate, Resource Mobilization

Live Painting Stall

Dear Supporters,

Across Pakistan, persons with disabilities (PWDs) continue to face barriers in accessing income-generating opportunities, despite having strong skills, creativity, and entrepreneurial potential. Through NOWPDP’s Khudmukhtari initiative, which focuses on supporting the self-employment of PWDs, we continue working to connect individuals with opportunities that enable them to earn independently and build sustainable livelihoods.

As part of this initiative, we organized Apni Rah, Apna Safar, an event aimed at giving visibility and market access to entrepreneurs with disabilities. The event showcased 23 businesses including paintings, artwork, jewelry, clothing, and other handicrafts created by PWDs, allowing them to present and sell their work directly to the community. The event also featured a live Kathak dance performance by a self-taught dancer and performer with a physical disability.

Supporters and visitors engaged with the artisans, gaining a deeper understanding of their skills, journeys, and the potential of disability-led enterprises. Additionally, earnings from all sales went directly to the participating artisans.

“I am deaf and developed my handcrafting skills when I was young. Painting was my passion but complications with my hands made it difficult to continue. Instead of giving up, I discovered a new way to express my creativity. I started crafting jewelry using my palm. It’s a skill I taught myself. Today, I felt immense pride sharing my journey at the event and seeing visitors appreciate my work.” -R****, Jewelry maker and entrepreneur.

There are many more PWDs who aspire to start or grow their own businesses but lack access to resources, tools, and support. Your support will allow us to enable more individuals to set up income-generating enterprises, strengthen their skills, and move toward long-term financial independence. Together, we can support persons with disabilities to build businesses of their own and shape their futures on their own terms.

With gratitude,
Team NOWPDP

Kathak Dance Performance

Live Stitching Stall

Art Gallery displaying paintings made by PWDs

Handmade Jewellery Stall

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