Islamabad:
The Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) has officially launched the first chatbot based on Pakistan for people with disabilities.
This initiative has been developed in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the National Authority of Counter -Rican (NACTA) and with the generous support of the European Union (EU).
The launch event took place at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), where government representatives, civil society and academy were present.
The chatbot is launched under the theme “An initiative for a peaceful and inclusive society”. Designed as a multilingual and accessible digital support tool, Noor AI is the first of its kind in Pakistan. It addresses the specific needs of people with disabilities, especially women, who often face a systemic exclusion to access vital services. Chatbot also offers confidential guidance based on rights on disability, inclusive education, employment opportunities, legal assistance, gender violence protection (GBV) and awareness about the prevention of violent extremism (PVE).
In his opening comments, Step executive director Muhammad Atif Sheikh called Noor AI “an empowering digital platform for women and young people affected by disability and marginalization.
Sharing ideas from the widest Step initiative, “empower women with disabilities to prevent and counteract violent extremism (P/CVE),” especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he pointed out how national action plans and CVE policies in Pakistan often overlook the disability, despite the double margin that women with disabilities face both to its gender and its disability.
“Noor AI is not just a chatbot; it is a peace -building tool. It addresses gaps in digital access, legal awareness and psychosocial support, all of which is critical for inclusive resilience,” he said.
Paso Director, Abia Akram programs emphasized the urgency of the Inclusive Disability Policy Reform in Pakistan. He emphasized the need to ensure that people with disabilities are not only beneficiaries but also leaders in digital spaces and peace consolidation.
