Sindh establishes country's first government-run autism centre

Braille printing press also inaugurated with the centre at Special Education Complex

KARACHI: Pakistan's first ever government-run autism centre and braille printing press was inaugurated at Special Education Complex, Gulistan-e-Jauhar on Tuesday.

The ceremony was organised by the special education department, while Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Human Rights and Special Education Rehana Laghari did the inauguration. Speaking at the ceremony, Laghari termed the establishment of autism centre and braille printing press an achievement of the Sindh government.

Sindh has set an example for other provinces, she said, adding that the centre will provide education and training to autistic children not only from Sindh but also from across the country. She further said civilised societies take care of their differently-able people and provide them education, training and opportunities so that they can earn their living with ease.



According to Laghari, Special education department has proposed a scheme to collect information about differently-abled children in the province, so that the government can have authentic data about these children.

On the occasion, Laghari distributed hearing aids, donated by human rights department, among children suffering from hearing impairment. She stressed on the need for creating awareness regarding noise pollution, which is damaging hearing ability of people. The MPA also issued certificates to employees of special education department who received training to operate Braille printing press.

The event was attended by Special Education Secretary Dr Zulfiqar Shallwani, Human Rights Secretary Dr Tanveer Ahmed Qureshi, Special Education Complex Director Jhamandas Rathi and a large number of differently-abled children and their parents. Dr Shallwani announced at the ceremony that the centre has started enrolment of the autistic children.

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