PM Shehbaz Lays Foundation Stone of Center of Excellence for Autism, Orders Completion Within One Year

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a national Center of Excellence for Autism, announcing an ambitious directive to complete the state-of-the-art facility within one year instead of the originally planned two years.

Addressing the foundation stone-laying ceremony, the prime minister emphasized the government’s responsibility to mobilize all available resources for children with special needs. “It is the responsibility of the government of the day to employ all available resources for special children,” he said, while praising the exceptional abilities and performances of the children present at the event.

PM Shehbaz described support for children with special needs as a collective social duty and paid glowing tribute to parents for their dedication and perseverance. “If a child is deprived of one ability, Allah Almighty blesses them with several other capabilities,” he remarked.

In a major announcement, the prime minister also pledged to provide 15 new buses to facilitate transportation for the Center of Excellence and other affiliated institutions, aimed at easing access for children and their families.

The ceremony was also addressed by renowned autism expert Aisha Haroon, who shared her personal journey into the field. She revealed that her life took a new direction after her son was diagnosed with autism. “My child became a victim of autism, which changed the course of my life,” she said.

Haroon, who has been working with children with autism for the past 15 years, highlighted her training experience at a specialized institution in the United Kingdom. She informed the audience that her center currently employs 55 trained staff members and focuses on preparing children to become productive and constructive members of society through structured training and holistic development.

The event reflected a strong commitment from both the government and experts to strengthen support systems, expand specialized facilities, and promote inclusive opportunities for individuals with autism across Pakistan.