- Maryam Nawaz welcomes Saudi business delegation, hails King Salman, Crown Prince for steadfast support to Pakistan
- Terms Saudi aid for flood victims a gesture of true brotherhood and solidarity
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday welcomed a high-level Saudi delegation led by Prince Mansour bin Muhammad bin Saad Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi-Pak Business Forum, reaffirming Punjab’s commitment to deepening trade, investment and strategic ties with the Kingdom.
The chief minister personally received the delegation at the airport, underscoring the importance of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia’s enduring brotherly relations.
During a meeting with the delegation, Maryam Nawaz and Prince Mansour discussed avenues to expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation under the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council, terming the visit a milestone in strengthening economic and diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The chief minister expressed profound respect for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, lauding their visionary leadership and the Kingdom’s consistent support to Pakistan in times of need. She also extended gratitude to the Saudi Ambassador for providing essential household supplies to flood-affected communities, describing it as a true reflection of Saudi Arabia’s generosity and solidarity.
Record Enrolments at Maryam Nawaz Autism School
Meanwhile, chairing a meeting on special education, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced historic progress in Punjab’s education sector, revealing that over 5,000 special children have been enrolled in the Maryam Nawaz Autism School within a short span of time—a record first in Punjab’s history.
She appreciated Special Assistant Sania Ashiq and her team for their exceptional performance and announced that underprivileged children will receive free therapy and education at the school. The chief minister also gave principal approval to include special children in the ‘Himmat Card’ programme and directed the engagement of world-class autism experts to enhance the quality of education and therapy services.
Approval was granted for the procurement of 48 new buses, as well as uniforms and school designs for students, teachers and staff. Maryam Nawaz also constituted a 13-member Board of Governors and approved a three-year strategic plan for the Autism Resource Center.
During the briefing, Sania Ashiq informed the meeting that the Maryam Nawaz Autism School would implement a customized, evidence-based autism model developed after extensive research on global best practices. A comprehensive green curriculum has been designed covering communication and language, life skills, Islamic and moral education, technology, physical education, and social studies.
She further said that Pakistan’s first Autism School will feature an open gym, walking track, sensory garden, and sound therapy centers. Children aged 3 to 16 years will be admitted, while those enrolled in the Maryam Nawaz Autism School and Research Center will continue receiving education and treatment up to the age of 22 years.
A hybrid learning model has been introduced to provide visual and written therapy in both Urdu and English, while parent coaching modules have been prepared to ensure effective coordination between parents and school management.
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