ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi on Friday approved a law requiring local news channels to start using sign language in their bulletins within the next six months.
The development was announced by his office in a string of Twitter post after the Access to the Media (Deaf) Persons Act, 2022, received the presidential consent.
According to the World Health Organization, about five percent population of all countries has some form of hearing impairment.
With a population of more than 200 million people, Pakistan’s community of deaf people exceeds 10 million according to some estimates.
“President Dr. Arif Alvi has approved the Deaf People’s Access to Media Act 2022,” the office of president announced on Twitter. “After six months of the implementation of the Act, no news bulletin will be allowed on any public or private electronic media, private TV channel, cable TV or any other media without a Pakistan Sign Language interpreter.”
It said the Act would take effect immediately across the country.
“After one year, any program, entertainment, advertisement, talk show, drama, film or any kind of picture program without sign language interpreter on any public or private electronic media, private TV channel, cable TV or any other media will not be allowed,” it added.
The new law is expected to provide greater audiovisual accessibility to people with disabilities while further facilitating their social integration.
