About Us

INTRODUCTION

Center for Autism Rehabilitation and Training, Sindh (C-ARTS) was established in 2018 under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017 as a “NOT FOR PROFIT” Company. The Company owned by the Government of Sindh, aims to provide professional rehabilitation facilities to Autistic children in Sindh Province, train professionals in rehabilitation methods in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and work for awareness and increasing social empathy on ASD.

The Center was inaugurated by the Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah on 8th September 2018. The purpose-built building with international standards can accommodate 300 children and is the biggest Autism Center of South Asia.

All services to Autistic children are provided free of cost as per the vision of the Government of Sindh.

VISION

To be recognized as an effective provider of quality rehabilitation services and educational opportunities for children and adolescent with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Sindh Province.

MISSION

To provide an integrated academic and therapeutic program to each individual with Autism and other neuro developmental disorders so that they realize their fullest potential and to expand our impact through education, innovative research and public policy.

OBJECTIVES

  • To set up an Autism Rehabilitation & Training Center as per international standards.
  • To cater for the needs of less privileged parents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children who cannot afford private services available in the market.
  • To work as a Training Center to train and develop experts in different areas catering to ASD rehabilitation, for the public as well as the private sector.
  • To work as a Center for increasing awareness about the disorder, and about Autistic Children/Persons and sensitize the society to accept them in the mainstream.
  • To help develop service delivery standards for ASD rehabilitation to be used by the Government to ensure delivery of optimum services by the private sector to the public.
  • To establish Centers of excellence all over the Sindh Province for rehabilitation of children and persons with Autism, and other neuro/ brain related conditions, training of experts in these fields, and raising awareness and advocacy on these issues in the society.

UPGRADE THE CENTER AS A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR

  • Research, training and diagnosis, rehabilitation, education and welfare for all neuro and brain related disabled people
  • Developing practices and service standards for guiding and regulating all institutions, centers and schools in these fields.
  • Organizing outreach programs to incorporate society, parents and guardians of intellectual disabled people through awareness training and advocacy.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MR. TAUHA AHMED FARUQUI

Non-Executive Director

MR. FAYAZ AHMED JATOI

Non-Executive Director

MR. UNKNOWN

Non-Executive Director

DR. NABEELA NAJAM

Non-Executive Director

MR. KAZI ASAD ABID

Non-Executive Director

PROF. MUHAMMAD WAQAR AZEEM

Non-Executive Director

MRS HAWA ABDULLAH

Non-Executive Director

]

DR. AHSAN NAZEER

Non-Executive Director

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Dr. SYED MUHAMMAD IDREES

CEO

Dr. Syed Muhammad Idrees is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of a proven track record of demonstrating superior healthcare education management performance at leading institutions in Karachi. Dr. Idrees holds MBBS from Dow Medical College, now Dow University of Health Sciences, and MCPS and FCPS-I from the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, in Community Medicine. He has served as a long standing educator in multiple capacities including Assistant Professor, and later Associate Professor, for Community Medicine MBBS Program at Dow University of Health Sciences, Sindh Medical College, Jinnah Sindh Medical University and Baqai Medical University. He served in the Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for nearly 15 years as a Public Health Specialist where he carried out extensive vaccination drives especially during Hajj and Ramadan. Before joining the center, Dr. Idrees held the critical post of 'Director Admissions' at Dow University of Health Sciences, where he administered the intake of 12 batches across 36 different institutes under Dow University.

MR. SHAKEEL AHMED AWAN

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Awan is an associate member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and fellow member of Pakistan Institute of Public Finance Accountants (PIPFA), holds a Masters degree in Economics and Bachelor degree in Commerce from University of Karachi. He has more than eight years of experience in the fields of Finance, Auditing and Business Analysis. He was previously associated with Jahangir Siddiqui & Co. Ltd., (JS Group) a leading financial Institution of Pakistan.

MR. RIAZ DIN SANJRANI

COMPANY SECRETARY

Mr. Riaz Din Sanjrani, company Secretary at C-ARTS, is an Associate member of the Institute of Corporate Secretaries of Pakistan. He is also CA Finalist at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan and M.A in Economics from University of Karachi. He completed his Articleship from Grant Thornton Anjum Rahman (GTAR). He has 10 years of experience in internal and external Audits, and Corporate matters. He has been with C-ARTS since October 2018.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Code of Conduct
C-Arts-Organogram

LEGAL STATUS

Center for Autism Rehabilitation and Training Sindh (C-ARTS) is setup under a license from Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) under section42 of the Companies Act, 2017.

Corporate Universal Identification No:0117153

NTN: 9031130-8

External Auditors: Riaz Ahmad & Company Chartered Accountants

Legal Advisor: Bashir Ahmed Buledi, Advocate & Legal Consultant

CERTIFICATIONS

 
PCP
 

MR. TUAHA AHMED FARUQUI

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Tuaha Ahmed Faruqui is serving as Secretary to Government of Sindh in the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. He served as Secretary Transport and Mass Transit Department, Secretary Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh. He also served as Managing Director of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) and at various other departments.

MR. FAYAZ AHMED JATOI

Non-Executive Director

Mr.Fayaz Ahmed Jatoi is a currently serving as the Finance Secretary, Government of Sindh. Prior to this, he served as the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sindh. He is an officer of PAS (BS-20), possesses degrees of MA in Political Science. He has diversified experience of more than 18 years in the civil service.

MR. UNKNOWN

Non-Executive Director

Secretary Planning and Development Department , Government of Sindh.

DR. NABEELA NAJAM

Non-Executive Director

Dr. Nabeela is the Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and Director of Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPMR) Karachi, having a lead role in promoting Rehabilitation Medicine. Dr. Nabeela secured first position in the fellowship exam, and was awarded Gold Medal by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan. She is providing excellent Cardiac rehab services at NICVD. She was given excellence service award by Governor of Sindh and appreciation award by Chief Minister of Sindh for dedicated services at the IPMR (DUHS). Dr. Nabeela Soomro is also the President of Pakistan Society of Neurorehabilitation.

MR. KAZI ASAD ABID

Non-Executive Director

Mr. Kazi Asad Abid is the CEO of IBRAT Group of Publications. He was conferred with the prestigious National/Civil Award of Pakistan “Sitara-e-Imtiaz” by the Government of Pakistan. He is an active participant in social, educational, and cultural activities and had practical courses in modern journalism. He served as a member of Board of Directors of Trust for Voluntary Organization, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), member of Executive Council of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), member Advisory Committee of Sir C. J. Institute of Psychiatry Hyderabad, member Executive Committee of Pakistan Cultural Council (PCC. He served on various Boards and Committees.

DR. MUHAMMAD WAQAR AZEEM

Non-Executive Director

Professor Dr. Muhammad Waqar Azeem is an internationally recognized academician and health care leader. He is a distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). His clinical and research interests include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Disabilities, Global Mental Health, and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Training. He has presented nationally and internationally and has published in peer-reviewed journals. Professor Azeem is chair of the WPA Presidential Working Group on Medical Students and a member of the WPA Presidential Working Group on Autism as well as on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He is a member of the WHO Rehabilitation Program, which is in charge of developing rehabilitation interventions for individuals with autism globally. He served on various boards and committees at regional, national and international levels.

MRS HAWA ABDULLAH

Non-Executive Director

Mrs Hawa Abdullah is a renowned community social worker in Pakistan. She is the president of Karachi Ladies Association. She is actively involved in the Ladies Wing of the World Memon Organization (WMO). She is graduate in home economics. Her major involvement has been the Ma Ayesha Memorial Centre (MAMC), Karachi, a Rehabilitation Centre for Neuro Muscular Disorders. She is also a member of the Executive Board of the prestigious Ida Rieu Welfare Association of Karachi, engaged in serving the blind, deaf and senior citizens.

DR. AHSAN NAZEER

Non-Executive Director

Dr. Ahsan Nazeer is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry. Dr. Nazeer’s primary areas of clinical interest include Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD and the interface between psychiatry and pediatrics. He completed his Adult Psychiatry Residency at Michigan State University, Kalamazoo, Michigan and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at The University of Michigan in 2027. Dr. Nazeer is board certified in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. He has written extensively research journals on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Internet Addiction, Substance Use Disorders, ADHD, Schizophrenia and Childhood Anxiety Disorders.