A large number of families thronged the Karachi Down Syndrome Program (KDSP) ‘Carnival 2023’ in Karachi’s Moin Khan Academy on Sunday.

The event drew children with Down syndrome, their parents and others involved in raising awareness.

“We don’t have to give special treatment to these children. We have to create a space for these children in the general society,” KDSP Director Ali Allawala told Aaj News.

The KDSP, a non-profit organisation, was launched in March 2014 to advocate the “value, acceptance and inclusion” of the people with Down syndrome living in Karachi. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra (partial or whole) copy of chromosome 21, according to the United Nations.

It has always been a part of the human condition.

“This event is for all members of the community. The aim of this event is that people come and see people living with Down syndrome and understand that it is not a disease,” the KDSP director said, “People living with Down syndrome feel everything like us and are very pure of heart.”

Various games, musical shows, food stalls, and other entertainment arrangements were organised in the event where people with disability also showed their skills.

Singer Ali Hamza, who collaborated with artists for a song on the theme of ‘Pyaar Baanto’, also attended the event.

He said everyone should be treated equally and lauded the services of KDSP in this regard.

Many parents said that they view their children with Down syndrome as a blessing from God. Our children understand and feel everything. They just need love,“ said one parent.

Stand-up comic and TV host Shafaat Ali praised the efforts of the KDSP. “We need to understand these children. They are like other children. No one gets affected by Down syndrome as it is a condition. We just need to understand,” he said.