KARACHI: Pakistan has opened its first dedicated residential centre for persons with autism, with First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurating the new facility at the Centre for Autism Rehabilitation & Training (C-ARTS) in Korangi.
The residential facility is designed to provide comprehensive care, rehabilitation, training, respite services and long-term support for children and persons with autism in a safe and inclusive environment.
The opening marks a significant development in Pakistan's efforts to expand autism-related services beyond diagnosis and therapy and towards longer-term care and support for individuals and their families.
New facility aims to provide long-term autism support
The C-ARTS residential centre is intended to offer a range of services under one system, including rehabilitation, training and structured residential support.
The facility is expected to provide families with access to a safe environment where children and persons with autism can receive continued care while also supporting caregivers who may require respite services.
Addressing the inauguration, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed the commitment to improving opportunities, dignity and support for persons with disabilities and expanding inclusive services.
She highlighted C-ARTS as a comprehensive initiative covering the journey from autism diagnosis and rehabilitation to skills development and employment opportunities.
According to Aseefa, free treatment, transportation facilities and stipends are also being provided to children with autism as part of the wider support system.
C-ARTS portal launched for easier access
The First Lady also launched the C-ARTS Portal, aimed at improving access to autism-related services.
The digital system will enable registration and the creation of a digital record for each child, providing a structured mechanism for maintaining information related to their care and services.
The development of digital records could also help improve continuity of care and make it easier to track the services received by children enrolled with C-ARTS.
Services extend beyond Karachi
The initiative is not limited to the new Korangi residential facility.
C-ARTS centres have also been established in Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana, expanding access to autism-related rehabilitation and support services beyond Karachi.
The wider network is intended to make specialised services more accessible to families across Sindh, where access to autism diagnosis, therapy, special education and rehabilitation can be limited.
Aseefa also highlighted the importance of ensuring that children with autism are not excluded from education, healthcare, skills development or future employment opportunities.
A wider push for inclusion
Both Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed their commitment to empowering persons with disabilities, promoting inclusive education and ensuring access to opportunities and essential support.
The inauguration comes as awareness of autism and the need for early diagnosis, intervention, rehabilitation and family support continues to grow in Pakistan.
The new residential facility represents a shift towards a more comprehensive model of autism care—one that extends beyond clinical intervention to include rehabilitation, training, respite and long-term support.
For families caring for children with autism, the availability of residential and specialised services could provide an additional layer of support while helping individuals develop skills and participate more fully in society.
The launch of the C-ARTS residential centre and digital portal therefore marks not only the opening of a new facility in Karachi but also an expansion of Pakistan's emerging autism support infrastructure.
Stay connected with Medical News Pakistan
CLICK HERE TO JOIN the official Medical News Pakistan WhatsApp Channel for verified global medical breakthroughs, FDA approvals, healthcare innovations, clinical research updates and the latest developments shaping medicine around the world.