Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has made a significant impact by inaugurating Pakistan’s first government-funded autism school and launching the Himat Card program aimed at supporting differently-abled individuals. These initiatives reflect her dedication to improving the lives of those with special needs in the province.
During her visit to the autism school construction site, CM Maryam Nawaz was briefed on the state-of-the-art facilities being developed. The school will comprise a ground and first floor, featuring 11 classrooms for junior students and 10 for seniors, along with specialized facilities such as a cubical speech therapy room, a therapy room, a pre-vocational training area, a daily living activity room, and a computer lab. The first floor will include additional classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, a committee room, a library, and a resource room, all designed with future expansion in mind.
Security features, including fire alarms and a telephone exchange, are part of the comprehensive safety plan. Construction is expected to be completed within a year, and CM Maryam Nawaz has prioritized the recruitment of autism experts to ensure the school’s effective operation.
In conjunction with the school’s opening, the Himat Card program will provide 65,000 eligible individuals with a quarterly allowance of Rs. 10,500, along with travel benefits on the Orange Line and Metro Buses in major cities starting from October 15.
During the launch, CM Maryam Nawaz engaged personally with attendees, including a young boy named Muhammad Azeem, who expressed gratitude through a heartfelt drawing. She emphasized the importance of the Himat Card in easing financial burdens for families of differently-abled individuals, assuring them of additional support, such as artificial limbs and assistive devices.
This event underscored her commitment to social welfare, highlighting her administration’s achievements in fostering inclusivity and empowerment for marginalized communities in Punjab.
