Slug: rawalpindi-autism-centre-rs580m-approved
Category: Health
Focus keyphrase: autism centre Rawalpindi
SEO title: Rs580m Autism Centre Approved for Rawalpindi
Meta description: Punjab has approved a Rs580.6 million autism centre in Rawalpindi offering free treatment, with the construction contract set for open bidding on Nov 4.
Tags: autism, Rawalpindi, Maryam Nawaz, special education, Punjab government, children health, free treatment, healthcare
Original element: explainer context — this satellite campus extends the Maryam Nawaz School and Resource Centre for Autism model that opened in Lahore in February 2026 (Pakistan Today, verified public data); the Lahore centre was Pakistan’s first government-run autism institution
Punjab Approves Rs580.6m Autism Centre for Rawalpindi
The Punjab government has approved a Rs580.632 million project to build a state-of-the-art autism centre Rawalpindi families have long needed. The Maryam Nawaz Satellite Campus for autism will offer free treatment and care for children with autism in the garrison city.
The contract for the project will be awarded through open bidding on November 4. A tender has already been issued for the construction of the complete medical centre building and associated development works.
Inside the Autism Centre Rawalpindi Project
The plan covers the ground floor, first floor and rooftop structure of the main building, along with electrical installations, plumbing, gas connections, a guard room, garages, a canteen and other supporting facilities.
Additional infrastructure includes a boundary wall, entrance gates, parking sheds, paved areas, an overhead water reservoir of 10,000 gallons, an underground water tank holding 20,000 gallons, a borewell with a submersible pump, a fire alarm system, CCTV cameras, internet cabling and air-conditioning.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that usually appears in early childhood. It can affect communication, social interaction, behaviour and sensory processing, which is why early, structured intervention matters so much for families.
Part of a Bigger Push
The Rawalpindi campus is not a standalone idea. It extends the model of the Maryam Nawaz School and Resource Centre for Autism, which opened in Lahore in February this year as Pakistan’s first government-run autism institution. At that launch, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said facilities for autistic children would be expanded to the district level across Punjab.
The Lahore centre offers international-standard education and therapy under one roof, along with free transport, meals, uniforms and books. The Rawalpindi satellite campus follows the same free-treatment promise, which will matter most to families who currently pay for private therapy or travel to Lahore for care.
This fits a wider pattern of health spending in the province. Punjab recently approved Rs45 billion in health projects under the same government, and the chief minister’s welfare schemes, from the scooty scheme for students to free public transport, have targeted household-level relief.
What to Watch
The November 4 bidding date is the next milestone. Open bidding should, in principle, keep the award transparent, and families in Rawalpindi will want to see work begin on schedule. Construction timelines, staffing with trained therapists, and the admission process will decide whether the Rs580.6 million turns into real help for children.
For parents of autistic children, who face daily emotional and financial strain, a free local facility removes two barriers at once: cost and distance. Support systems for children matter far beyond school walls, as work on mental health awareness in Pakistan and child nutrition has shown. If the Lahore experience is any guide, demand for places is likely to be high from the first day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the new autism centre being built?
In Rawalpindi. It will be called the Maryam Nawaz Satellite Campus for autism and will provide free treatment and care for children with autism.
How much will the Rawalpindi autism centre cost?
The Punjab government has approved Rs580.632 million for the project, covering the main medical centre building and all supporting infrastructure.
When will construction begin?
The construction contract will be awarded through open bidding on November 4. A tender has already been issued for the building and development works.
Is treatment at the centre free?
Yes. Like the Lahore autism centre that opened earlier this year, the Rawalpindi campus will offer free treatment and care for children with autism.
