Emphasising the need for harnessing the abilities of special persons, President Dr Arif Alvi said on Saturday that job opportunities should be created for special persons besides setting up different kinds of call centers to help such persons.

Speaking at an international seminar on "Autism and Child Psychiatry" here at the Fountain House, the president said that special persons are part of the society and deserve attention from the people. He added that the disabled persons are part of our society and their abilities need to be harnessed. He said the children affected by Autism should be treated with special love and affection.

"Special people are special segment, banks must help them through financial welfare programs and must ensure the government of Pakistan's two percent quota for them in the jobs," he added.

Stressing the need for recognizing mental disorders besides contacting an authentic psychiatrist in case of autistic problems, the President said 30 to 40 percent people in the world were suffering from different mental disorders, including autism.

President Dr Arif Alvi also inaugurated a block of the Fountain House and visited its different wards. Earlier, Founder Chairman and Chief Executive of the Fountain House Dr Amjad Saqib in his address said that the House was established in 1971 and now it has become the biggest in South Asia comprising 650 beds. The Fountain House had cured over 50,000 children so far who were enjoying their normal lives in the society, he added. The House had established three schools where 300 children were studying, he added.

Former Justice Nasira Iqbal and President World Psychiatry Association Dr Afzal Jawed were also present on the occasion.