AJK president praises Qatar Charity for supporting children

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan, while describing the Qatar Charity as a role model for those working in the social sector, has said that "those helping the orphan and vulnerable children are our true benefactors and well-wishes in the real sense".

He made these remarks while addressing as the chief guest at a ceremony held in connection with distributing relief cheques among the orphan children in Rawalkot on Thursday.

The function was organised by Qatar Charity, which has provided Rs243 million as relief to more than 100,000 orphan and vulnerable children across the country, including AJK.

Masood said that the concept of support to orphan children is found in every religion, but Islam is the only religion which has declared it obligatory, and Qatar Charity has provided education, residence, food, dresses and health facilities worth hundreds of millions of rupees to thousands of destitute and orphan children at their doorstep in remote areas of the liberated territory since 1998.

Hundreds of children who had completed their studies in medical and engineering disciplines because of the support from Qatar Charity, are now serving the country and the nation, he said, and particularly mentioned completion of various projects by the charity in earthquake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir.

He also thanked the charity's management and the philanthropists for supporting hundreds of orphan children in Rawalakot and surrounding areas.

Earlier addressing the function, Country Programme Manager of Qatar Charity Mohammad Waqas asserted that his organisation was functioning in more than 30 countries including Pakistan. "At present, it is registered with the federal interior ministry and is providing education scholarships to 7,000 children and is also fulfilling their other needs."

Besides providing support to 3,500 children in Azad Kashmir, it is providing dowry on the wedding of orphan girls, and is constructing water, sanitation and health facilities, donating equipment to hospitals and imparting training to health staff.

He said that the charity had established its offices in Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot, and it has also taken part in relief and rehabilitation in work in Mirpur after the recent earthquake.

Masood Khan also appreciated the organisation for launching different projects to respond to climate changes and to deal with the modern challenges.

The event was also addressed by Country Programme Coordinator Imran Khan, Programme Officer Naeemul Haq and Field Supervisor Amjad Nadeem.