Islamabad, November 10,2026: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) and the Directorate General of Special Education (DGSE) have agreed to strengthen institutional cooperation to create greater vocational training, internship and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the trade and industrial sectors.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between an ICCI delegation and a visiting DGSE delegation, led by Muhammad Amir, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled Persons (VREDP), at the Chamber House on Tuesday.
Welcoming the delegation, ICCI President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to promoting inclusive economic participation and integrating persons with disabilities into the mainstream workforce.
He assured the delegation that ICCI would provide its institutional platform and support to connect trained students with business organisations, industrial units and relevant market opportunities.
The ICCI president also accepted an invitation to visit the VREDP facility to observe its vocational training programmes, rehabilitation services and facilities for students.
ICCI Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha appreciated DGSE’s initiatives for the education, training and rehabilitation of students with special needs and assured the delegation of the Chamber’s full cooperation in developing practical employment opportunities and strengthening linkages between vocational institutions and the private sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Amir emphasised that market-oriented skills development was essential to preparing students for meaningful employment and economic self-reliance. He sought ICCI’s assistance in identifying employment opportunities and aligning vocational training programmes with the changing requirements of trade and industry.
To ensure effective coordination and sustained engagement, ICCI Executive Member Abbas Hashmi and Ms Farah Hafeez, Deputy Director NTCSP, were nominated as focal persons.
ICCI Executive Member Abrar ul Haq said the Chamber would facilitate direct linkages between DGSE and various market associations to help students utilise their technical skills in suitable business and industrial environments.
He emphasised that stronger private-sector engagement could help translate vocational training into sustainable employment opportunities.
The DGSE delegation also included Dr Sajida Mehmood, Director Special Education, and Asad Ali, Deputy Director VREDP.
ICCI Executive Member Syed Imran Bukhari, former Executive Member Chaudhry Mohammad Ali, Executive Members Mohammad Sohail Chaudhry and Zohaib Arshad Malik, former Executive Member Waseem Chaudhry and other representatives also attended the meeting.
