Forum members tour KORT complex, review orphan care facilities and major healthcare projects
Mirpur: A delegation of the Kashmir Journalists Forum (KJF), led by its President Sardar Irfan Sadozai along with elected office-bearers, visited Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation included a large number of journalists associated with television channels, newspapers, and digital media platforms.
During the visit, the KJF members reached the Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) on the invitation of its founder and Chairman, Chaudhry Akhtar Hussain, where they were warmly received. On the occasion, the Chairman briefed the journalists in detail about the objectives of the institution, its ongoing activities, and future plans, and also arranged a comprehensive tour of all departments.
The journalists were informed that KORT was established in November 2005, one month after the devastating earthquake of October 8, initially operating from a rented building. Today, after 20 years, the institution has its own purpose-built complex spread over more than 140 kanals of land. Over 500 orphan boys and girls, ranging in age from one month to 20 years, are currently residing at the complex. The children are provided with quality residential facilities, a world-class educational environment from playgroup to intermediate level, and excellent indoor and outdoor sports facilities.
It was further shared that dozens of KORT students are currently pursuing higher education in medicine, engineering, information technology, and other disciplines at leading universities across the country. A significant number of graduates are now serving in various departments of KORT, and around 60 percent of the institution’s administration consists of its own highly educated former students, who will continue to carry forward the mission.
Chaudhry Akhtar Hussain stated that the institution is run entirely on donations from overseas Pakistanis and philanthropists. He emphasized that no member of his family or relatives is part of the Board of Governors, nor will they ever be. He added that with the expansion of major projects, funding requirements are increasing, and therefore a fundraising campaign will soon be launched within Pakistan as well. He also highlighted the need to upgrade basic health units across all districts of Azad Kashmir to improve healthcare services and reduce the burden on major hospitals, noting that KORT has developed a comprehensive work plan in this regard.
The KJF delegation also visited the site of KORT’s state-of-the-art 250-bed hospital project, being constructed at a cost of Rs 12.6 billion. The project will be completed in two phases within a short period of three years, while Phase One is scheduled for completion in 14 months. All treatment for poor patients at the hospital will be provided completely free of cost, and health card facilities will also be available. The project includes a parking plaza and residential facilities for attendants of patients. Chaudhry Akhtar Hussain also informed the journalists that Azad Kashmir’s first modern burn centre, comprising 20 beds, is nearing completion in Kotli.
Members of the Kashmir Journalists Forum paid rich tribute to the founder Chairman of KORT for his services to humanity. They said that what they witnessed during the visit was beyond imagination, adding that Chaudhry Akhtar Hussain not only embraced orphaned children but also provided them with a true home and the best possible facilities. The journalists remarked that meeting the innocent children made their day truly memorable.
On this occasion, an agreement was also signed between the Kashmir Journalists Forum and KORT, under which all deserving members of KJF will be included in the institution’s relief projects, while KJF will work as a media partner with KORT on the media front. The agreement documents were signed by KJF President Sardar Irfan Sadozai and Chairman Chaudhry Akhtar Hussain. The Chairman also presented a commemorative shield to the President of the Kashmir Journalists Forum.