ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: The minister for women development, social welfare and special education, Dr Attiya Inayatullah, has emphasized the need of partnership between government and non- government sector to launch programmes for the welfare of special people.

The federal minister stated this on the occasion of signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the ministry and Houbara International Foundation (Pakistan chapter) to adopt the hostel for special children.

The secretary for women development, Perveen Qadir Agha, and the president of Houbara Foundation, Brig Mukhtar Ahmed (retired), signed the MoU.

The foundation will provide physical and financial assistance for renovation of the hostel for 75 children with a cost of Rs4.3 million.

The foundation will also assist the Special Education Centre for Hearing Impaired Children.

The hostel will be run by the management committee comprising of representatives of the ministry, Houbara Foundation, Parent Teacher Association and the principal of the National Institute of Hearing Impaired Children.

Besides providing structural facilities, Houbara Foundation will also arrange training programme for teachers and staffers to build up the capacity of institutions for special persons.

Mr Mukhtar Ahmed said Houbara Foundation had been engaged in promotion of education in the far flung areas of the country and aimed to provide support to Islamabad-based institutions for special children. — APP