LAHORE: A high-level delegation of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council arrived in Lahore on Friday. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz welcomed the delegation at the airport, underlining the significance of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations.
Maryam 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. She expressed deep respect 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. She 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 economic and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Later, Maryam 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. She announced that underprivileged children would receive free therapy and education at Maryam Nawaz Autism School. She gave approval to include special children in Himmat Card program.
On her directions, the 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. The CM 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 Centre.
Sania Ashiq gave a detailed briefing and stated that the Maryam Nawaz Autism School would implement a customized, evidence-based autism model developed after extensive study of globally successful approaches and international research. A comprehensive functional green curriculum has been designed, covering communication and language, life skills, Islamic and moral education, technology, physical education and social studies. She apprised the chief minister that Pakistan’s first Autism School would feature an open gym, walking track, sensory garden and sound therapy centres. Children aged 3 to 16 years will be admitted, while those enrolled at the Maryam Nawaz Autism School and Research Centre will continue to receive education and treatment up to the age of 22 years. She 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 briefed that to ensure safety and progress monitoring of students, CCTV cameras would be installed in the Autism School while Children Welfare Officers would supervise their protection and well-being. She said the Research and Teacher Training Division would be part of the Autism School where master trainers would provide modern training and skills to teachers. Moreover, one-year diploma and certificate programs would be launched to enhance professional development in the field of special education.