State-of-the-art facility to provide education to 200 orphans

TORWARSAK, BUNER: What else could be more precious than utilizing the valuable land in this scenic foothill locality to establish a state-of-the-art orphan care facility - The Aghosh Alkhidmat Home - aimed at providing a nurturing environment for the education, character-building and upbringing of 200 children who have lost their fathers?

Built on 12 kanals of land at a picturesque location, the beautifully designed facility was officially inaugurated at a well-attended ceremony by Jamaat-e-Islami Central Chief, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman.

The land for this noble project was generously donated by renowned cardiologist and Alkhidmat Foundation’s Provincial Vice President, Professor Dr Abdul Malik and his brothers. Completed over four years at a cost of Rs160 million, the facility is a flagship initiative under Alkhidmat Foundation’s mission to support orphans across the country.

Prominent among those who attended the inauguration ceremony were Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan’s President Prof Dr Hafeezur Rehman, Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North) President, Inayatullah Khan, General Secretary, Haleem Bacha; former Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Bakht Jehan Khan, Provincial President of Alkhidmat Foundation, Khalid Waqas Chamkani, General Secretary, Shakir Siddiqui, Chief Executive of Petal Seeds, Mohammad Mushtaq Safi, and others.

In his address, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman lauded Alkhidmat Foundation for its unwavering commitment to humanitarian service. “Our aim is to provide these children with the same care, dignity and opportunities that we offer our own children. The tireless efforts of Alkhidmat’s team, recognized both nationally and internationally, are truly a source of pride for the entire nation,” he said.

He added that it was the state’s responsibility to care for orphaned children. But in its absence, Alkhidmat Foundation has stepped forward to provide the best possible facilities for them.

The JI chief paid glowing tributes to Dr Abdul Malik, who not only donated the valuable family land for the project but also made generous contributions himself and helped raise funds to ensure timely completion of the project.

He urged the participants to take collective responsibility for providing the best care and facilities to the children residing in the orphanage.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hafeezur Rehman highlighted the journey of Aghosh Homes, which began after the devastating 2005 earthquake. “The tragedy had left thousands of children orphaned. In response, we launched the first Aghosh Home in Attock.

Today, with the opening of this facility, we have reached our 23rd Aghosh Home nationwide,” he said.

Dr Hafeez said that nearly five million children in the country were orphaned. He noted that Alkhidmat Foundation was leading the effort - ahead of even the government by taking care of 30,000 orphan children across the country. He also spoke about other projects of the foundation.

In his remarks, Inayatullah Khan stressed the importance of the next phase, which was ensuring quality education, top-notch living facilities and skill development for the children at Aghosh Buner. “Now that this magnificent facility is ready, the real challenge begins which is to transform it into a place that truly nurtures and empowers every child,” he added.

Dr Abdul Malik shared the inspiration behind establishing the orphanage in his native district. He recalled that he and two colleagues were concerned about the lack of a proper facility for orphaned children. One day, while hiking in the nearby hills, he spotted a piece of land owned by him and his brothers. Right then, he made a phone call to Khalid Waqas, provincial president of Alkhidmat Foundation, and they laid the foundation stone for the project, he said.

“This land and this building no longer belong to Dr Abdul Malik and his family. It is ‘waqf’ for this noble cause. Every individual of this district is a stakeholder in this project. Let us rely on our own community and run this facility independently,” he urged.

His appeal was met with roaring applause from the audience. He also paid tribute to all the donors and offered prayers for their well-being.

Speaking on the occasion, Khalid Waqas Chamkani highlighted Alkhidmat Foundation’s broader services with a special focus on its orphan care initiatives. “Aghosh Alkhidmat Home Buner is more than just a building. It stands as a symbol of hope, community spirit and our enduring national tradition of caring for the vulnerable,” he remarked.

Regarding the recurring expenses of the facility, Khalid Waqas told The News that each child would require Rs20,000 per month to cover education and other living costs. The total monthly expenditure for the center would be Rs4 million, he added.

He urged the well-off people to come forward and take responsibility for providing funds for looking after at least one orphan child.