LAHORE: Punjab’s first-ever CM Punjab Special Games 2025 began on Wednesday with a vibrant opening ceremony at Punjab Stadium Lahore. Provincial Minister for Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal Sohail Shaukat Butt inaugurated the event, while Ministers Faisal Ayub Khokhar and Sohaib Ahmad Bharath attended as special guests.
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal Punjab, Jaffar Ali Hocha, MPA Nawaz Ladhar, and Director General Social Welfare Punjab, Tariq Qureshi, also graced the occasion. Officers of the Directorate, Divisional Directors, and officials of the Social Welfare Department were also present at the ceremony. The Sports and Youth Affairs Department and the Special Education Department Punjab provided key support to ensure the successful conduct of the games.
Around 500 special athletes from public and private institutions across Punjab are participating in nine sports categories. The ceremony featured Quran recitation, Naat, the national anthem, and an impressive march past by the athletes. Minister Sohail Shaukat Butt formally declared the games open.
Sohail Shaukat Butt highlighted government initiatives for persons with disabilities (PWDs), noting that 18,000 assistive devices have been distributed and 100,000 individuals are receiving a quarterly stipend of Rs. 10,500 under the Himat Card program. Himmat Cards for 40,000 special education students have also been announced by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz.
Sports Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar said the Social Welfare Department has launched “historic welfare measures” over the past 18 months. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting talented special athletes through financial and administrative assistance.
Communication & Works Minister Sohaib Ahmad Bharath emphasized the government’s dedication to special children and noted the establishment of Punjab’s first state-of-the-art Autism School under CM Maryam Nawaz’s direction. He praised the abilities of the athletes, their families, and teachers.
Souvenirs were presented to the ministers, followed by a torchbearers’ march, oath-taking, cultural performances, and musical acts that energized the crowd.
The three-day event, scheduled from December 10 to 12, features athletics, badminton, table tennis, football, basketball, pentathlon, volleyball, tug of war, boccia, and other competitions. The enthusiasm of the athletes continues to inspire spectators.