Lahore: Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, President Professor Dr. Hafeezur Rehman inaugurated the organisation’s 24th Aghosh Orphan Home in Gilgit-Baltistan. The newly established facility, built on six kanals, has the capacity to house 200 orphan children, while the first phase will begin with the full support and care of 50 children.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Gilgit-Baltistan Maulana Tanveer Haidari, Alkhidmat GB President Fareedullah Khan, Rescue 1122 Director General Azeemullah Khan, Secretary Social Welfare Arifullah Khan, as well as political, social and organisational representatives. Speakers praised Alkhidmat’s efforts for orphan children, its response during recent floods, and its overall welfare initiatives in the region.

Following the ceremony, Professor Dr. Hafeezur Rehman visited Skardu, Ghanche and Shigar districts where he was briefed on Alkhidmat’s ongoing projects. He appreciated the performance of the regional team and advised them to further accelerate
and improve welfare activities.

Highlighting the vision behind Aghosh Orphan Homes, Professor Dr. Hafeezur Rehman said that the purpose of these centres is to provide orphan children with education, healthcare, accommodation, moral upbringing and confidence so they may become productive and responsible citizens. He noted that the first Aghosh Home was established in Attock after the 2005 earthquake, and the network has now expanded to 24 centres across Pakistan.

He added that an estimated 4.6 million children in Pakistan are currently orphaned, half of whom are deprived of basic necessities. ‘Alkhidmat initially aimed to support 5,000 orphan children, but with Allah’s blessings and the generosity of donors, we are now supporting more than 34,000 children, with billions of rupees being spent annually on their wellbeing,’ he said.