RAWALPINDI, Dec 13: The Punjab government has allocated Rs9.5 million for the setting up of five special education centres at the tehsil headquarters in Rawalpindi district.

These centres would be established in Murree, Kahuta, Kotli Sattian, Gujar Khan and Taxila. Rawalpindi has already got such centres because of being the district headquarters.

The provincial government had announced plans to set up 90 such centres across the province. When contacted, District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani said administrative approval for these centres would shortly be issued.

In reply to a question, he said these centres would cater for all forms of disabilities. The district has no authentic and updated data on the number of special children.

President District Social Welfare Council Dr T.S. Malik, however, hit back at the plan, saying it was in contrast to the federal government's policy of "inclusive education" for special children.

He said the government before going ahead with the plan should take care of the existing facilities which were in a shambles. Some of the existing buildings, he said, were occupied by other departments.

Dr Malik criticized the plan for having one centre for all disabilities. He said it would be impossible to bunch all these things together. Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) has prepared a plan to widen the Airport Road at an estimated cost of Rs410 million, it has been learnt.

According to the plan, the road will be widened by 36 feet each on both sides from Kutchery Chowk to Flying Club Chowk. Feasibility studies for the project have been completed and work is likely to be started within the next few months, sources said.

The project will be executed by the RDA. A briefing was held in the 10 Corps Headquarters a few days ago in which the officials of the authority gave details of the project.