ConnectHear Brings Access. Ability.Careers. back to Karachi with Standard Chartered Pakistan
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South Asia’s Leading Disability Inclusion Enterprise, ConnectHear, successfully held Access.Ability.Careers to Karachi for the third time, with Standard Chartered Pakistan serving as Platinum Sponsor and supporting the initiative since its inception. The mission was to introduce inclusive employment opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Pakistan.
The event brought together almost 2000+ Persons with Disabilities from Karachi and neighbouring cities, along with 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 event provided a platform for PWDs to connect with employers, explore career opportunities, and showcase their skills in a professional environment.
Building on the success of previous editions, Access.Ability.Careers. engaged 60+ corporations nationwide and facilitated multiple job placements in various cities, creating meaningful pathways to employment for Persons with Disabilities. The event connected a diverse group of candidates, which included experienced professionals, recent graduates, and first-time job seekers, with organisations committed to inclusive hiring.
Through employer booths, networking sessions, and direct engagement opportunities, participants were able to interact with recruiters, apply for roles, and build connections that would lead to interviews and employment.
Previous editions have demonstrated strong outcomes, with many participants securing interviews and job opportunities, highlighting the importance of creating consistent and accessible hiring platforms.
Talking to the media, Adil Salahuddin, CEO & Head of Coverage at Standard Chartered Pakistan, said: “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. Diverse and inclusive workplaces drive innovation, strengthen decision-making and better reflect the communities we serve.
Through our partnership with ConnectHear and initiatives such as Access.Ability.Careers, we are proud to help remove barriers, connect talented individuals with meaningful opportunities, and contribute towards building a more inclusive workforce in Pakistan. Lasting change requires collaboration, and we are encouraged to see employers, policymakers and civil society coming together to advance disability inclusion across the country.”
Azima Dhanjee, CEO of ConnectHear, commented: “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. Around 1.3 billion people worldwide experience significant disability, and the disability market represents an estimated US$18.3 trillion in spending power.
These figures show why inclusion matters to every business. By bringing employers, government institutions and communities together, we are opening doors to meaningful 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,” said Azima Dhanjee, CEO and Co-founder of ConnectHear.”
Alison Blackburne, British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, commented: “Everyone should have the opportunity to build a career and fulfil their potential. ConnectHear and Standard Chartered are helping to make that possible by bringing people with disabilities and employers together. The UK is proud to support their work to make information and communication more accessible, so that more people can participate fully and independently.”
