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LAHORE, Jul 29 (APP):The Provincial Assembly of the Punjab has unanimously passed the Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre Act, 2025 during its 28th session, marking a significant step forward in inclusive education and support for individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders in Pakistan.
The passing of the important law shows the government’s strong commitment to supporting people with autism. It includes setting up a modern Autism School and Resource Centre in Lahore, the first of its kind in Pakistan.
The Centre will provide special education and therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It will also offer professional training, support research, and raise public awareness. The goal is to create a supportive environment that helps children with autism grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially, so they can live meaningful and dignified lives.
The Punjab Autism School and Resource Centre will be overseen by a strong and diverse Board of Governors, chaired by the Chief Minister of Punjab. The board will include the Chief Secretary, relevant department secretaries, autism specialists, parents of children with autism, and experts from education and public service, ensuring that affected families have a voice in decision-making.
The Centre will offer tailored education and therapy programs, train teachers and professionals, and work with international experts to improve autism research and curriculum development. It will also connect with autism units across Punjab and lead public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma.
The Act allows the Board to set up sub-campuses across the province, create jobs, set rules, and use public and private resources to keep the Centre running. This reflects the Punjab government’s strong commitment to inclusive education and equal opportunities for all.
Punjab Special Education Department Secretary Muhammad Khan Ranjha said that this Act is not only a legal instrument but a human-centered policy breakthrough that places children with autism and their families at the core of government planning. He added that the initiative would address long-standing gaps in diagnosis, care, and educational access, while also creating professional opportunities in special education and therapy. He further highlighted the department’s dedication to implementing the Act with efficiency, transparency, and compassion, ensuring that the vision of an inclusive Punjab becomes a lived reality for every neurodiverse child and their family.