Karachi: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) hosted the “Dining in the Dark Experience” on Thursday, in partnership with Khaas Foodz Kitchen (KFK), to spotlight the challenges and promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the corporate sector. This innovative event gathered OICCI’s member companies and foreign investors to foster a deeper understanding of the daily hurdles faced by PWDs.
According to Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the event featured a unique sensory dining experience where participants were blindfolded and guided through a meal prepared by visually impaired chefs from KFK. This setup was designed to cultivate empathy and initiate conversations about improving corporate practices for disability inclusion.
Ahmed Khan Bozai, Chairperson of OICCI’s Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee, addressed the gathering, highlighting the dual moral and business imperatives of creating inclusive environments. “Inclusive environments are crucial not only as a moral obligation but also as a business necessity. Persons with disabilities bring valuable talents, and it’s essential to facilitate their contributions,” Bozai stated in his keynote speech.
The event also included a panel discussion featuring prominent figures such as Ali Tareen, founder of Khaas Foodz Kitchen; Fizza Hussain, co-founder of KFK; Saadia Fahad, general manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at K-Electric; and Fatima Arshad, head of communications and sustainability at Unilever Pakistan. The panelists debated the obstacles and opportunities in cultivating workplace inclusivity and the significance of implementing disability-friendly policies.
OICCI’s recent Diversity and Inclusion surveys indicate that while about half of the respondents prioritize diversity and inclusion, the representation of PWDs in these companies is still below 0.5% of all permanent employees. OICCI Secretary General M Abdul Aleem commented on the findings, “Our objective is to enhance these numbers. It is imperative for our member companies to not only establish policies but also actively create environments that support the flourishing of persons with disabilities.”
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