- Chief Minister says to showcase Punjab’s climate vision, Suthra Punjab, e-mobility projects at global climate summit
- Calls PM Shehbaz Sharif as her mentor, saying world acknowledges Punjab’s anti-smog efforts
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, en route to represent the province at the COP-30 Conference in Brazil, said during a brief media interaction in London that Punjab would, for the first time in history, formally participate in the global climate summit rather than attend as a mere observer—a move she described as a significant step in showcasing the province’s climate leadership and flagship environmental reforms on the world stage.
Maryam Nawaz said Punjab’s major environmental and climate initiatives would be presented at COP-30, stressing that the province had already launched multiple green-energy transitions. “Suthra Punjab is one of the world’s most organized waste management programs,” she noted, adding that Punjab had successfully rolled out e-mobility, electric buses and electric bikes across the province. “Our transport system is gradually shifting to green energy,” she said.
The chief minister highlighted notable progress in tourism, wildlife conservation, and environmental protection, saying global forums were acknowledging Punjab’s efforts to reduce and eliminate smog. Responding to a question, she said, “Mian Shehbaz Sharif trained me; I am following in his footsteps—he remains my mentor.”
She expressed gratitude for the public’s affection, saying she never imagined such overwhelming support. “By the grace of Almighty Allah, I have faced no difficulty in holding the office of Chief Minister,” she remarked. She added that her administration was operating as a team-oriented government, a governance model she said was being recognized and appreciated across Punjab.
First BOD meeting of Maryam Nawaz School & Resource Centre for Autism
Meanwhile, the first meeting of the Board of Directors of the Maryam Nawaz School and Resource Centre for Autism was held under the chairpersonship of Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Special Education, Sania Ashiq. The meeting approved several landmark initiatives aimed at the welfare, education, and rehabilitation of autistic children.
In line with CM Maryam Nawaz’s vision, the government decided to establish an Autism Teacher Training and Research Resource Centre at the school. The board also approved free uniforms, free school meals, free therapy, free books, a free pick-and-drop service, and free lunch for all enrolled children.
The centre is Pakistan’s first state-of-the-art public institution providing international-standard education and therapy services for autistic children. Additional facilities—including an open gym, sand therapy area, sensory garden, and walking track—will also be available free of cost.
The Board approved the immediate initiation of admissions and staff recruitment. Members expressed appreciation for Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “visionary leadership” and her commitment to establishing the school, calling it a pioneering milestone in special education in Pakistan.
It was also decided that the centre would offer modern educational and rehabilitative services under one roof, with evening sessions providing therapy services on a self-financing basis to accommodate more families.
The meeting was attended by the Secretaries of Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education, Primary & Secondary Healthcare, and Education, while the Secretaries of Finance and Higher Education joined via video link. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring quality education, therapy and rehabilitation for autistic children across Punjab, positioning the Maryam Nawaz School and Resource Centre for Autism as a beacon of hope and progress for countless families.
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