ConnectHear and Standard Chartered Pakistan Promote Inclusive Employment in Karachi

ConnectHear, a South Asian disability inclusion enterprise, has brought its Access.Ability.Careers initiative to Karachi for the third time. Standard Chartered Pakistan served as Platinum Sponsor, continuing its support for the initiative since its inception.

The event aimed to expand inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across Pakistan. It brought together more than 2,000 participants from Karachi and neighbouring cities, alongside over 30 companies from the financial, telecommunications and textile sectors.

Supported by public and private institutions, including the Department of Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) and SPDPA, the initiative provided a platform for candidates to meet employers, explore vacancies and demonstrate their professional skills.

Connecting Employers with Diverse Talent

Building on previous editions, Access.Ability.Careers has engaged more than 60 corporations nationwide and facilitated multiple job placements in different cities. The initiative connects experienced professionals, recent graduates and first-time job seekers with organisations committed to inclusive recruitment.

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Through employer booths, networking sessions and direct interactions, participants had opportunities to meet recruiters, apply for positions and establish professional connections that could lead to interviews and employment.

Previous editions have also resulted in interviews and job opportunities for participants. These outcomes underline the importance of creating consistent, accessible platforms that connect persons with disabilities to employers.

Standard Chartered Highlights the Value of Inclusion

Adil Salahuddin, CEO and Head of Coverage at Standard Chartered Pakistan, said equal access to employment benefits individuals, businesses and society.

“At Standard Chartered, we believe talent is universal, but opportunity is not always equally accessible. Creating pathways to employment for persons with disabilities is not only the right thing to do, it also makes business sense,” he said.

He added that diverse and inclusive workplaces encourage innovation, strengthen decision-making and better reflect the communities businesses serve.

Through its partnership with ConnectHear and initiatives such as Access.Ability.Careers, Standard Chartered aims to help remove employment barriers and connect talented individuals with meaningful opportunities.

Salahuddin also stressed the importance of collaboration among employers, policymakers and civil society to advance disability inclusion across Pakistan.

ConnectHear Calls for Equal Opportunities

Azima Dhanjee, CEO and Co-founder of ConnectHear, said her upbringing with two Deaf parents shaped her belief in the importance of equal opportunities.

“Growing up with two Deaf parents showed me what people can achieve when they have equal opportunities. That belief is at the heart of Access.Ability.Careers,” she said.

Dhanjee highlighted the scale of disability inclusion, noting that around 1.3 billion people worldwide experience significant disability. She also cited an estimated US$18.3 trillion in spending power associated with the disability market.

She said these figures demonstrate why inclusion matters to businesses. By bringing employers, government institutions and communities together, ConnectHear seeks to expand access to employment, accessible services and greater independence.

“Our goal is a world where every person’s skills are recognised and everyone has a fair chance to succeed,” Dhanjee said.

UK Reaffirms Support for Accessibility

Alison Blackburne, British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, emphasised that everyone should have the opportunity to build a career and fulfil their potential.

She said ConnectHear and Standard Chartered were helping bring persons with disabilities and employers together, creating opportunities for greater participation in the workforce.

“The UK is proud to support their work to make information and communication more accessible, so that more people can participate fully and independently,” Blackburne said.

The event highlighted the role of collaboration between businesses, public institutions and civil society in advancing disability inclusion. By connecting employers with diverse talent, Access.Ability.Careers aims to help create a more accessible and inclusive employment landscape in Pakistan.