A high-level delegation of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council arrived in Lahore. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif personally welcomed the delegation at the airport, underlining the significance of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz held a meeting with the delegation led by Prince Mansour bin Muhammad bin Saad Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi-Pak Business Forum to discuss avenues for enhanced trade and investment cooperation between the two brotherly nations. Chief Minister Punjab expressed deep respect and admiration for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. She lauded the Kingdom’s visionary leadership and its unwavering support for Pakistan in times of need.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also extended her heartfelt gratitude to the Saudi Ambassador for providing essential household supplies to flood-affected communities in Pakistan, highlighting it as a gesture of true brotherhood and solidarity. The visit of the Saudi delegation marks another milestone in further strengthening of economic and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Separately, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a meeting on Special Education, in which historic progress was highlighted for the first time in Punjab’s history as over 5,000 special children were enrolled in Maryam Nawaz Autism School within a short span of time. She appreciated Special Assistant Sania Ashiq and her entire team for their outstanding performance in this regard.
Chief Minister Punjab announced that underprivileged children will receive free therapy and education at Maryam Nawaz Autism School. She also gave principle approval to include special children in ‘Himmat’ Card program. On her directions, Punjab government has decided to engage world-class autism experts to enhance quality of education and therapy services. Approval was granted for the procurement of 48 new buses. She also approved uniforms and school designs for students, teachers and staff of Autism School. Moreover, she constituted a 13-member Board of Governors, and a three-year strategic plan for Autism Resource Center.
Special Assistant Sania Ashiq gave a detailed briefing and stated that Maryam Nawaz Autism School will implement a customized, evidence-based autism model developed after extensive study of globally successful approaches and international research. A comprehensive functional green curriculum has also been designed, covering communication and language, life skills, Islamic and moral education, technology, physical education and social studies. She apprised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif that Pakistan’s first Autism School will feature an open gym, walking track, sensory garden and sound therapy centers. Children aged 3 to 16 years will be admitted, while those enrolled at Maryam Nawaz Autism School and Research Center will continue to receive education and treatment up to the age of 22 years. She further apprised that a special hybrid model has been developed to provide both visual and written therapy in Urdu and English languages, adding that coaching modules have also been prepared for parents to ensure better coordination between parents and school management.
Sania Ashiq further briefed Chief Minister Punjab that in order to ensure safety and progress monitoring of students, CCTV cameras will be installed in Autism School while Children Welfare Officers will supervise their protection and well-being. She said that Research and Teacher Training Division would also be a part of Autism school where master trainers would provide modern training and skills to teachers. Moreover, one-year diploma and certificate programs would also be launched to enhance professional development in the field of special education.