LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif initiated a meal provision programme for special students on Thursday.
During the launch ceremony in Lahore, the Chief Minister emphasized that special children are society’s heroes, blessed by God with extraordinary abilities. She commended the Special Education Department team and reflected on her commitment to establishing Centres of Excellence for special children in every district, a vision realized through the efforts of Sania Ashiq within a remarkably short time.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that 28 districts now feature Centres of Excellence for special children, while Punjab has a total of 303 institutions dedicated to special education. She assured that all these facilities will be entirely reconstructed to enhance their quality and capacity.
Addressing the audience, she remarked that it is her obligation as Chief Minister to serve the mothers and families of special children, noting that such children bring blessings to their households. She also lauded the resilience and courage of the parents raising them.
The province-wide school meal programme was also discussed, with Maryam Nawaz expressing her aspiration to ensure every household is approached to identify and enroll special children into government institutions.
CM Punjab announced that all schools will receive buses monitored by CCTV, with 60 buses already delivered. She stressed that with the right support system, special children can thrive and not become a burden on their families.
Moreover, the government is distributing Himmat Cards to 70,000–75,000 differently-abled individuals, including thousands of special children who will benefit from this initiative.
Earlier in the event, the Chief Minister officially launched the meal programme for special students by ringing a bell. She also took photographs with the children to commemorate the occasion.
