CM Maryam Nawaz launches first government-led autism school

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz laid the foundation of Pakistan’s first government-run autism school and launched the Himat Card program, which aims to support differently-abled individuals.

Both initiatives reflect her commitment to improving the lives of those with special needs across the province.

During her visit to the site of the autism school, CM Maryam Nawaz was briefed on the state-of-the-art facilities being constructed.

The school will feature a ground and first floor, with 11 classrooms for the junior section and 10 for the senior section. In addition to classrooms, the school will include a cubical speech session room, therapy room, pre-vocational training room, a daily living activity room, and a computer lab.

The first floor will house three classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, committee room, library, and resource room.

Notably, the building is designed to accommodate two additional floors for future expansion, ensuring capacity for growth.

Security features, such as fire alarms and a telephone exchange, will also be installed, and construction is set to be completed within one year under Maryam Nawaz’s direction.

The chief minister has also instructed the immediate recruitment of autism experts and emphasized that consultation with specialists will shape the school’s operational plans.

Expressing her dedication to the cause, Maryam Nawaz said that autistic children deserve "kindness, empathy, and love" and that the school holds a special place in her heart.

In addition to the autism school, CM Maryam Nawaz launched the Himat Card program, which will initially provide 65,000 deserving individuals with a quarterly allowance of Rs. 10,500.

The Himat Card will also serve as a travel card, enabling free rides on the Orange Line and Metro Buses in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi, starting from October 15.

At the launch event, the chief minister announced that more cards would be made available through applications sent directly to her office.

In a symbolic gesture of inclusivity, she invited differently-abled individuals to sit beside her, while ministers and officials were seated behind them.

Maryam Nawaz distributed the Himat Cards to attendees and personally engaged with recipients, highlighting her affection for the children present.

One young boy, Muhammad Azeem, expressed his gratitude by gifting the CM a pencil drawing, calling the Himat Card a "blessing" for him and his peers.

The chief minister emphasized the importance of the Himat Card for those unable to earn a livelihood, noting that it would alleviate financial burdens for families.

She reassured attendees that artificial limbs and other assistive devices would also be provided to those in need.

During the ceremony, CM Maryam praised her team for their efforts in launching the Himat Card and acknowledged the resilience of differently-abled individuals, applauding their hope and courage.

"The Rs. 10,500 may not seem substantial, but it provides essential support," she said, affirming her dedication to improving the lives of differently-abled people.

She also highlighted the achievements of the PML-N government, stating that welfare and progress initiatives have been consistently prioritized despite economic challenges.

The event featured a documentary titled Hope and Success Journey, showcasing the Punjab government’s initiatives, including the Himat Card project.

Attendees were also treated to a presentation of the national anthem in sign language, celebrating the differently-abled community.

Notable attendees included Senator Pervez Rashid, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and other provincial ministers and officials, all of whom expressed their support for these impactful programs.

Earlier this month, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif officially launched the registration process for the Honahaar Scholarship Programme aimed at providing financial assistance to deserving students seeking higher education.

During the launch event, she emphasized that the programme was designed to ensure equal access to quality education for talented individuals across the province.

Under the programme, scholarships were set to be awarded to 30,000 students across 68 disciplines, aligning with the demands of the global job market.

The chief minister highlighted that the initiative would play a key role in enabling the youth to pursue higher education and secure better employment opportunities.

The Honahaar Scholarship Programme was aimed at students from 50 public sector universities, 16 medical colleges, and 131 graduate colleges.

This extensive initiative showcased the Punjab government's commitment to empowering the youth and fostering academic excellence across a wide range of disciplines.