KARACHI (special crosspondent) – First Lady of Pakistan Aseefa Bhutto Zardari on Monday inaugurated Pakistan’s first dedicated residential facility for children with autism, established under the Centre for Autism Rehabilitation and Training, Sindh (C-ARTS), in Korangi, Karachi.

The landmark initiative marks a major milestone in the country’s efforts to provide comprehensive, long-term and specialised care for children with autism and support for their families.

Sindh Government’s Commitment to Inclusive Care

The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, addressing the inauguration ceremony, described the project as a symbol of hope, inclusion and dignity for children with autism and their caregivers. He said the residential facility reflected the Sindh Government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child with autism has access to quality diagnosis, education, rehabilitation, life-skills training and opportunities for an independent future.

The ceremony was attended by Secretary DEPT Tauha Farooqi, members of the diplomatic and development community, autism specialists, educationists, parents and representatives of civil society. Chief Autism Consultant and CEO of C-ARTS, Ms Irum Rizwan, briefed participants on the services and future expansion plans of the institution.

Comprehensive Support Services

The newly inaugurated facility has been designed to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children with autism who require specialised support. It will offer residential accommodation, therapeutic interventions, educational programmes, behavioural support, life-skills development and vocational training under one roof.

According to C-ARTS officials, the facility will cater to around 250 children and will operate through a multidisciplinary team trained in evidence-based autism intervention programmes. It will provide two key services: respite care for children with severe behavioural challenges requiring short-term professional support, and long-term residential care for children with autism who do not have guardians or adequate family support.

Expansion and Future Outlook

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that when C-ARTS was established in 2018, it was founded on the belief that every child with autism deserves opportunities to learn, grow and thrive. He noted that the institution has since evolved into the largest autism support and rehabilitation network in Pakistan, serving more than 1,500 children and their families.

“Today’s inauguration is not merely the opening of a building; it is the opening of new doors of hope for children, parents and families. This facility is a home where children will be understood, respected and encouraged to discover their strengths and talents,” he said.

Murad Shah highlighted that the Sindh Government’s commitment to autism support extends across the province. He said ten C-ARTS centres are currently operational in Karachi, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Gambat, Sukkur and Larkana, providing free-of-cost services including diagnosis, education, rehabilitation, behavioural therapy, life-skills training, vocational development and family counselling.

To further expand access to specialised autism services, the Chief Minister announced that thirteen additional C-ARTS units are under construction or nearing completion in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, Model Colony, Premier College Nazimabad, Soomar Kandani Village, Landhi, Nazimabad, Hyderabad, Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sukkur and Shaheed Benazirabad.

Inclusive Infrastructure and Nationwide Impact

The Chief Minister also announced the development of three state-of-the-art C-ARTS Inclusive Parks in Landhi, Malir and North Nazimabad and Bahria Town, if appropriate land is arranged. He said the parks would feature accessible play equipment, sensory-friendly spaces and safe recreational environments designed to allow children of all abilities to play and interact together.

“Inclusion should not remain confined to policies and documents. It must be visible in our schools, neighbourhoods, workplaces and public spaces,” he said, adding that the inclusive parks would promote understanding, empathy and acceptance while creating opportunities for children with autism to participate fully in community life.

Murad Shah said the success of the C-ARTS model had attracted attention beyond Sindh and inspired similar initiatives elsewhere in the country. He revealed that the Government of Sindh had signed Memorandums of Understanding with the governments of Balochistan and Islamabad Capital Territory to provide technical expertise and institutional support for the establishment of autism centres in those regions.

He attributed this expansion of services to the vision of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for an inclusive and equitable Pakistan, saying that every child with autism, regardless of where they live, deserves access to quality care, education and opportunities.

Interacting with the children with autism directly, the First Lady of Pakistan Aseefa Bhutto said they were valuable, talented and important members of society. “Autism does not define your potential. Each of you possesses unique strengths, abilities and dreams. It is our responsibility to create an environment where you can flourish, learn with confidence and contribute to society with pride,” she said.

The inauguration of C-ARTS Residential is being viewed as a transformative step in autism care in Pakistan, establishing a pioneering model that integrates diagnosis, rehabilitation, education, skill development and residential support under one institution. Officials said the facility would set a new benchmark for autism services and strengthen efforts to build a more inclusive and compassionate society.