By Khalid Khattak
LAHORE: Milestone Society for the Special Persons, with support from the European Union, concluded its impactful anti-terrorism advocacy initiative with a closing ceremony that marked the launch of a groundbreaking data-driven booklet.
This first-of-its-kind publication draws on insights from 100 victims of terrorism who, through the project, received assistive devices and training in independent living (IL), empowering them to reclaim their independence and lead better lives.
Empowering Victims of Terrorism
Milestone Society for the Special Persons marked a major milestone in its efforts to support persons with disabilities affected by terrorism. During a recent ceremony, the organization highlighted the impact of its humanitarian work across Pakistan.
Key Achievements
The project supported victims of terrorism—many of them children, young women, and elderly individuals—from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab, providing them with life-enhancing assistive tools.
Distributed assistive devices included:
- 25 electric wheelchairs
- 25 manual wheelchairs
- 25 hearing aids
- 25 white canes
These tools were provided to help the beneficiaries gain mobility, independence, and improved quality of life.
Human-Centered Storytelling
To ensure these stories of resilience reach a wider audience, the project team also:
- Produced short documentaries featuring each beneficiary
- Focused on personal experiences and the positive impact of assistive technology
- Highlighted stories from terrorism-affected areas in KP and Punjab
The event included speeches from several notable guests who applauded the initiative’s role in building a more inclusive and resilient society. This project also contributes to the broader Countering and Preventing Terrorism in Pakistan (CPTP) initiative, which is coordinated by NACTA, implemented by UNODC, and carried out through partnerships with groups like Milestone.
Col. Shahzad Amir (Retd), CEO of Punjab Charity Commission, attended as chief guest. Other speakers included Dr. Izhar Ul Haq Hashmi of the Punjab Welfare Trust for the Disabled, Dr. Khalid Jamil (Big Brother), and representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) including Ms. Fatima Raza and Ms. Mariana Iqbal. President of Milestone, Muhammad Shafiq Ur Rehman, shared how the assistive devices made everyday life easier for many, helping them communicate better and move more freely.
Note: As part of this project, Milestone not only released the main report but also introduced a unique companion booklet for the very first time. This booklet, which has been made public, presents a detailed data-driven analysis. It was developed with assistance from Data Stories Pakistan, who supported Milestone by turning raw data into meaningful insights. Through this collaboration, they were able to showcase trends, challenges, and outcomes that help shape future policy and support strategies. You can download the report from the link below 
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