Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the “Himmat Card” initiative as part of a sweeping set of reforms aimed at improving facilities and services for special children across the province. The announcement includes the reconstruction of Special Education Centres, establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Special Students in every district, and provision of dedicated transport for all centres.
Speaking at the inauguration of the School Meal Program and newly completed Centres of Excellence, the chief minister said the government’s goal is not only to support differently-abled children but to empower them to become productive citizens. Under the meal program, 45,000 children across 313 institutions are receiving daily nutritious meals, with Maryam Nawaz personally checking the quality of the food items.
Introducing the “Himmat Card”, she said the initiative is designed to reassure parents that the government stands by families of special children. So far, 40,000 children have been screened and 30,000 treated, allowing many to regain hearing. The government is also distributing assistive devices, including wheelchairs and hearing equipment.
Maryam Nawaz termed the construction of Punjab’s first government-run school for autistic children a significant milestone, adding that teachers and “special heroes” deserve high honour. She praised Special Assistant on Special Education Sania Ashiq for fast-tracking reforms, noting that Centres of Excellence have been completed in 28 districts, with the rest under construction.
The chief minister highlighted that 313 institutions are being upgraded, while the Lahore Centre of Excellence has been designed as a state-of-the-art, historic project. Thousands of students are already benefiting from advanced facilities in Layyah, Bhakkar, and other districts.
To strengthen safety, CCTV monitoring has been introduced in classrooms and school buses, with 60 buses already equipped. She added that redesigned classrooms, Braille books, smart boards, and accessible washrooms were transforming the learning environment.
Future offerings will include physiotherapy, speech therapy, specialised labs, and audio-video rooms, along with IT training to improve employment prospects. She revealed that eight special students trained at these centres have already secured jobs at PITB.
The provincial government is also adding new electric buses with ramps and wheelchair space, while Pakistan’s first government run School of Autism is set for inauguration soon after receiving thousands of applications.
