Special students: CM Maryam says will launch ‘Himmat Cards’
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced to launch ‘Himmat Cards’ for special students, along with revamping Special Education Centres across the province.
She also declared that a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for Special Students will be established in every district and transport facilities will be provided to all special education centres.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of ‘School Meal Program’ for Special Education Students and Centre of Excellence, she said that the Punjab government is not merely focusing on special individuals but investing in them so that they can become useful citizens. She added that establishment of Punjab’s first government autism school is nothing short of a blessing. She paid tribute to teachers and special heroes to acknowledge their exceptional abilities.
The Chief Minister commended Special Assistant for Special Education department Sania Ashiq and her entire team for turning the vision of Centres of Excellence into reality within a short span of one and a half years. She said that 28 districts already have Centres of Excellence, while remaining districts will be provided soon. She highlighted that a total of 313 institutions across Punjab will be upgraded to better serve special individuals. She emphasized crucial role played by parents of special children and remarked that serving special children is her foremost duty. She shared that her own family has a special member who brings immense joy to their home.
The CM called special children “a source of blessings,” adding that parents often face deep stress and anxiety due to their children’s challenges. She added that she regularly reviews videos, photos and virtual inspections of Punjab’s ongoing projects. She termed upcoming state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Lahore a historic initiative. Thousands of special children are receiving education in Centres of Excellence in Layyah, Bhakkar, South Punjab, North Punjab and Central Punjab, she added.
The Chief Minister emphasized her commitment to redress issues related to parents, special children, education, health, roads, employment and soaring prices. “The Chief Minister’s office is not a source of power or leisure; it is a huge responsibility,” she added. She envisioned a Punjab where the government personally ensures that special children are brought to school.
She highlighted that under ‘School Meal Program’, 45,000 children in 313 institutions receive nutritious food. She personally tasted milk and biscuits provided under the program to check their quality. She reported that school enrolment for special children has increased by launching this welfare-oriented initiative. She said that 60 buses equipped with CCTV cameras have been introduced for safe transport of special children, adding that CCTV monitoring centres have been established to prevent harassment in schools and buses. She said that watching children read from Braille books and operate smart boards in smart classrooms is nothing less than a miracle.
The Chief Minister said that ‘Himmat’ Card aims to reassure parents that the Punjab government stands with them, adding that around 40,000 special children underwent health screening and 30,000 received treatment, enabling hundreds to regain their hearing ability. She disclosed that wheelchairs, hearing aids and assistive devices are being provided on need basis. She underscored that Centres of Excellence are also being equipped with physiotherapy services, speech therapy, labs and audio-video rooms.
She maintained that special children are being trained in IT skills to help them find jobs easily and expressed pride that eight special children secured employment at PITB due to their IT skills. Criticizing the previous government, she denounced them for wasting time on conflicts instead of focusing on public welfare initiatives and due care of special children. She added that although many projects have been launched in the past 18 months, she still feels more work is needed to be done.
She announced that electric buses have been designed with automatic ramps and wheelchair spaces for special individuals. She also shared that Pakistan’s first government Autism School will be inaugurated soon, noting that thousands of applications have already been received for admissions. She said autism school being established in Lahore will be among state-of-the-art institutions across the globe.
Earlier the CM visited Maryam Nawaz Centre of Excellence for Special Education Students in Shalimar Town, Lahore, and launched the CM School Meal Program for Special Education Students by ringing the lunchtime bell. She also inaugurated Maryam Nawaz Centre of Excellence for Special Education Students in Lahore, and gave cash prizes to Special Olympians Ali Raza, Shah Galu Hayat and Blind Cricketer Shahzeb.
The Chief Minister expressed her affection for the special children, and presented them milk packs and biscuits. A special girl also fed biscuits to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif out of love, and said, “You are very sweet.” Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif wrote some words on the whiteboard in the classroom, to which children answered correctly. She sat with the visually impaired children and observed them reading through Braille. A little special hero Anas took a picture with her and Special Assistant Sania Ashiq. She expressed a deep interest in the handicrafts and paintings made by special children.
The CM also visited ECE classroom, physical activity room, speech and language therapy room and PD classroom specially set up for visually and hearing impaired children. She also inspected the smart classroom, computer lab and expressed happiness over getting jobs for 08 special children. A special child presented Chief Minister a letterhead designed by her own hand. The Chief Minister Punjab sat among special children at the ceremony and herself brought forward a child sitting in a wheelchair. Special children raised slogans of Pakistan Zindabad in sign language.
Special Assistant on Special Education Sania Ashiq gave a detailed briefing about the Centre of Excellence project and said that Maryam Nawaz Centres of Excellence for Special Education Students have been established in 28 districts of Punjab, and more than 6000 special children have got new admissions in Punjab. She briefed that as per vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, special education centres are being revamped.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025