Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the launch of the Himmat Card, alongside several key initiatives for children with special needs. The announcement came during the inauguration of the “School Meal Program” and newly completed Centres of Excellence for Special Education.
The Himmat Card aims to support families of children with disabilities, reassuring parents that the government stands with them. So far, 40,000 children have undergone health screening, and 30,000 have received treatment. Assistive devices, including wheelchairs and hearing aids, are also being distributed to help children regain mobility and hearing.
Under the “School Meal Program,” 45,000 children across 313 institutions receive nutritious food daily. CM Maryam Nawaz personally ensured the quality of milk and biscuits provided. She emphasized that the government is not only supporting children with disabilities but investing in their future so they can become productive citizens.
The Chief Minister highlighted the reconstruction of special education centres and the establishment of a “Centre of Excellence for Special Students” in every district. So far, 28 districts have completed Centres of Excellence, with construction underway in remaining districts. State-of-the-art facilities include smart classrooms, Braille books, physiotherapy rooms, speech therapy labs, and IT training centers.
New electric school buses with automatic ramps and space for wheelchairs have also been introduced. CCTV monitoring has been installed in classrooms and buses to ensure student safety. The country’s first government-run School of Autism will soon open its doors, with thousands of admission applications already received.
Maryam Nawaz praised Special Assistant Sania Ashiq and her team for implementing special education reforms in just 18 months. She noted that eight specially trained students from these centres have already secured jobs at the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).
The launch of the Himmat Card and these initiatives reflect the Punjab government’s commitment to empowering children with disabilities and providing them with equal opportunities for education, healthcare, and employment.
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