Baqar inaugurates café run by autistic children at C-ARTS

Sindh caretaker chief minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar on Thursday said that the Centre for Autism Rehabilitation & Training Sindh (C-ARTS) in Karachi serves as a beacon of hope and progress for children with autism, not only in the province but throughout South Asia.

Speaking at a ceremony organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to inaugurate three more facilities at C-ARTS Korangi, Baqar said that this institution has had a positive impact on the lives of many children, of which we should be proud.

The interim CM said that C-ARTS is the largest centre in South Asia for children with autism. He acknowledged that this milestone is a testimony to the relentless commitment and dedication of the people behind C-ARTS, who have worked tirelessly to create an environment where children with autism can flourish and achieve their full potential.

He praised C-ARTS for its unique mission to provide free-of-charge services for autistic children, starting from the initial stages of diagnosis to their employment. He added that this is not something commonly found in Pakistan, where resources for special needs children are often scarce.

He pointed out that C-ARTS has set a precedent by ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the path of progress for these children. He also acknowledged that C-ARTS provides free transport and a stipend, recognising the holistic needs of the children under its care.

According to him, C-ARTS has become a central point for providing professional training to address the lack of knowledge and understanding of autism among professionals. By equipping professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge, C-ARTS is not only changing the lives of individual children but also transforming the landscape of autism awareness and support in the region, remarked Baqar.

He said that C-ARTS is committed to empowering parents with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively support their children. This recognition is based on the crucial role parents play in the development of their children, he added.

Furthermore, he pointed out, community awareness programmes are being conducted to dispel any myths and misconceptions surrounding autism. The goal is to create an inclusive and supportive environment for these children, he stressed.

He said that C-ARTS has experienced tremendous growth since its establishment in 2018. Initially, it had only one centre in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, but now it proudly operates three more centres in Korangi, Hyderabad and Orangi Town, he added.

He also said that currently, three new centres are in the pipeline, including Gambat, Shaheed Benazirabad and another one in Hyderabad. These centres will provide support and resources to a total of 550 children with autism, enabling them to lead better lives, he added.

The caretaker CM inaugurated the first indoor sports facility at C-ARTS that is specially designed to train exceptional children for higher levels. During the inauguration, he said that the facility would not only promote physical well-being but also nurture the talents and abilities of these children.

He emphasised that every child, irrespective of their abilities, deserves opportunities to excel and showcase their potential. He also inaugurated a farming facility and a café run by children with autism.