ISLAMABAD:28 July: The management of Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) is eying the building of ‘Al Farabi Special Education Centre’ for intellectually challenged children in Sector G-8/4 to shift their offices there.

However, parents-teachers association has decided to resist the PBM’s move because over 225 children are studying there.

Besides, the centre in collaboration with an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) has finalised a training programme for 500 children, Dawn has learnt.

According to sources, the officials of Baitul Mal visited the building twice and they saw all the room and floors of the building.

They also discussed the shifting of their offices there.

This is the third building the PBM is planning to take over. Previously, they had occupied ‘National Special Education Centre for Mentally Retarded Children’ in sector H-8/4 and National Special Education Centre for Hearing Impaired Children in H-9/4.

Over 350 children were studying in the two institutions.

They got the two buildings vacated and shifted their offices in it and converted open area used for agro therapy (a treatment
method for special children in which the plant trees) for parking.

President Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Tanvir Ahmed while talking to Dawn confirmed the PBM planning to take over the building.

He said: “My son also studies in the centre so news about the takeover was really a matter of concern for me. I contacted Principal Ishrat Masood and discussed the issue.”

The building constructed during the Ziaul Haq era is a perfect training institute for the physically challenged children, he said.

He said they were left with no choice but to contact Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry for remedy, he said.

A teacher of Al Farabi Centre requesting not to be quoted said: “Over 225 children are studying and there are 20,000 physically challenged children in Islamabad to whom we have to cater. We have just made an agreement with INGO (Helping Hands) for the training of 500 physically and mentally challenged children.”

“Survey has been completed for the training of children and the INGO will provide furniture and equipment this month,” he said.

Spokesman of Federal Government College Teachers Association, Professor Tahir Mehmood said also condemned the move of the PBM.

Director General of Al Farabi Special Education Centre, Ghayoor Sultana, who has recently taken the charge of the centre told Dawn that such decisions were taken at the highest level and she was not in a position to resist or approve them.

PBM Chairman Zamarud Khan while talking to Dawn said if they were given the charge of Al Farabi Special Education Centre they would run it in a better way.

“PBM has been providing uniform, bags, shoes and other goods to the children of the centre. More children should be adjusted in the building,” he said.

“I think donors give financial aid to orphans and special children and a politician can interact with donor agencies in much better way,” he said.The news.