ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed that the Autism Centre of Excellence being established in Islamabad be completed within one year instead of the initially planned two, reaffirming the government’s commitment to provide education, therapy, and vocational facilities for children with special needs.
Addressing the foundation-laying ceremony, the prime minister said special children are “children of the nation” and that the state has a responsibility to equip them with skills and training to become active members of society. He emphasized that while a child may lack one faculty, they are blessed with others, urging institutions to nurture these abilities through quality education and care.
The prime minister also announced the provision of 15 coasters to ensure transportation for children attending the centre and called on philanthropists and public institutions, including Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal, to contribute to the initiative. He congratulated parents and teachers for their dedication and thanked the Ministry of Education and the project team for their efforts.
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Earlier, the prime minister was briefed on the project and toured the various departments planned for the Autism Centre of Excellence. Federal Minister for Education Dr. Khalid Maqood Siddiqui described the event as a transformation of national intent into a national institution and pledged coordination to meet the revised one-year completion timeline.
Reaffirms govt’s resolve to provide world-class education, therapy and vocational facilities to children with special needs.https://t.co/AxDkDV7CM6
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 20, 2025
Retired Capt. Asif Iqbal, Director-General Special Education, noted that around 700 students from kindergarten to graduation are currently enrolled in national special education institutions. Students of the National Education Centre for Hearing-Impaired Children presented the national anthem in Pakistan Sign Language, and a special segment featured performances by students with disabilities, including a visually impaired student performing on the rubab.
Ayesha Haroon, founder of Oasis School and advocate for autism and neurodivergent children, shared her experience of establishing a non-profit model providing integrated services ranging from speech and occupational therapy to vocational training. She offered to share institutional learning with government bodies seeking to replicate similar models nationwide.
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