Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday inaugurated Pakistan’s first government-run School and Resource Center for Autism in Lahore, calling it “no less than a miracle.”

She said the state stands with special children like a mother and vowed that the journey of development, prosperity and service would continue.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the chief minister said it is the state’s responsibility to help citizens in times of difficulty.

“This center is nothing less than a miracle,” she said, congratulating her team on establishing an international-standard autism center within just one year.

Maryam Nawaz described the initiative as a fulfillment of a promise and declared, “We have fulfilled our promise… we have created Punjab… we have done what no one could do.”

She added that this is Punjab’s first modern government resource center for children with autism, offering world-class education and therapy facilities.

“Children with autism are very close to my heart,” the chief minister said emotionally. She emphasized that therapy makes a significant difference in the lives of autistic children and praised the courage of their parents, calling it “strong as a rock.”

“The state has shared a little of the burden of these parents,” she said. “It is the state’s job to intervene in such difficult situations.”

She also highlighted that 70 buses have been arranged across Punjab for special children to ensure accessibility.

Facilities, expert training

The Maryam Nawaz School and Resource Center for Autism provides comprehensive therapy and rehabilitation services.

The chief minister shared that foreign aid has been obtained for therapist services, and parents are also being trained by experts to better support their children.

She congratulated her “star team,” including Sohaib Bharath, Marriyum Aurangzeb and Sania Ashiq, for their efforts in making the project a reality.

During the visit, she also thanked Howard University trainer and RBT specialist Dr. Sara for her contribution and observed the training process of specialist educators and therapists in the Resource Center Hall.

Emotional moments

The ceremony was marked by emotional scenes as parents shared their struggles.

Komal, the mother of autistic child Hamza, said that due to a lack of resources, her son had been confined within four walls for 13 years. She called the autism center a ray of hope for children and their families and paid tribute to Maryam Nawaz, saying she had become “a mother of the state.”

Grandparents of autistic brothers Ali Haider and Muhammad Hassan expressed gratitude, saying they could not afford the treatment of two children and were terrified at the thought of it.

“This autism center is not just an institution; it is the fulfillment of our dreams,” they said, saluting and thanking the chief minister.

Every eye reportedly filled with tears as parents and families shared their stories.

CM Maryam toured all departments and classrooms of the center. She attended a seminar for trainee staff, visited the Early Childhood Education (ECE) classroom for young autistic children, and mingled warmly with them. She coloured in a sketchbook with the children and shared affectionate moments, while autistic students performed piano and harmonium in the music therapy room.

A special song was also presented in tribute to the chief minister. Children burst into joy upon seeing her, hugged her, held her hands, and expressed their affection.

In a touching moment, the chief minister held the hand of an autistic child on the walking track and personally helped him walk.

Comprehensive therapy, rehabilitation facilities

The chief minister inspected junior and senior classrooms and observed rehabilitation processes in:

Occupational therapy rooms
Art therapy rooms
Music therapy rooms
Speech therapy rooms

She also visited the pre-vocational training room and a computer lab set up for autistic children for the first time. Her visit included inspections of the sand therapy area, sensory garden, dining hall, walking track, and open gym on the first floor.

Officials stated that there are now hundreds of centers of excellence across Punjab, reflecting the province’s broader development agenda.

Reiterating her commitment, Maryam Nawaz said the journey of development, prosperity and public service will continue. “The state stands with them like a mother,” she said, pledging continued support for special children and their families.