Pakistan’s first visually impaired diplomat set to publish book on Indian Kashmir abuses

Pakistan’s first visually impaired United Nations (UN) delegate Saima Saleem has announced her upcoming book, written on the topic of human rights violations happening in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

On the occasion of World Braille Day, Saima said, “Working for human rights is my passion, and my book is also written on the topic of gross and systematic human rights violations happening in IIOJK. It is in the last phase of editing and I will try my best to get that published in Braille as well.”

She believes that people with disabilities can become useful and productive for society if attitudinal and access barriers can be removed for them.

Saleem is the first blind civil servant and the first blind diplomat of Pakistan. This is her first book.

She made history at the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with a speech that she read from Braille- tactile code enabling blind and visually impaired people to read and write by touch.

Saleem holds a master’s degree in international law with a specialisation in international humanitarian law and human rights from the University of Geneva.