ISLAMABAD: In a bold move to revolutionize support for children with autism, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that the long-awaited Autism Centre of Excellence in Islamabad will be completed in just one year, cutting the original timeline in half.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Centre of Excellence for Autism at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Developmental Disorders, he called the kids with special needs “the children of the nation,” stressing the government’s duty to equip them for success.
He declared that it is the state’s collective responsibility to equip these children with the necessary skills, modern technology, and training, so they can stand on their own two feet. “Where a child may lack one ability, Allah, the Almighty has blessed him/ her with many others,” he said, calling on institutions to focus on nurturing these abilities through quality education and care.
As part of the initiative, he announced the provision of 15 minibuses to facilitate smooth transportation for special children travelling to and from the centre. He also urged philanthropists and public institutions, including Pakistan Baitul Maal, to generously contribute to the project.
PM Sharif expressed his gratitude to the parents, teachers, and the Ministry of Education for their tireless efforts, describing the support for special children as both a “moral duty” and a “national investment.”
Earlier, the prime minister was briefed on the details of the project and toured the various departments planned for the Autism Centre of Excellence, designed to cater to a wide range of developmental needs. The centre aims to become a beacon for inclusive education in Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Education, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, hailed the day as a milestone in the country’s commitment to inclusive education. He expressed confidence that the centre would spearhead a new mission for talent development and education, adding that the Ministry would work closely to ensure the revised one-year deadline set by the Prime Minister is met.
Asif Iqbal, Director-General of Special Education, briefed the Prime Minister on the ongoing services at national special education institutions, revealing that around 700 students are currently enrolled in a wide range of programmes, from nursery to graduation.
The event also featured moving performances from students with disabilities. Among the highlights was Master Fawad, a visually impaired student with extraordinary hearing ability, who received widespread praise for his ‘rubab’ performance.
Additionally, students from the National Education Centre for Hearing-Impaired Children presented the national anthem in Pakistan Sign Language.
Ayesha Haroon, founder of Oasis School and a passionate advocate for autism and neuro-divergent children also shared her insights during the event.
She discussed the success of her non-profit model, offering integrated services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and vocational training to promote independence, safety, and dignity for special children.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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