Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed Praises KORT’s Humanitarian Efforts; Ministers Pledge Continued Assistance
Muzaffarabad: Prime Minister of Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, has reaffirmed his commitment to public service, pledging to work with sincerity, hope and complete trust in Allah. Addressing a special ceremony held under the Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) to distribute keys of newly built houses to widowed beneficiaries, he said meaningful progress can be achieved within six months if intentions remain pure. He added that the Pakistan Peoples Party-led government will restore the dignity of the state and rebuild the public’s trust in politics and leadership.
The prime minister said that ending unrest, strengthening confidence in governance, and serving vulnerable communities would be among the government’s core priorities. Reflecting on his political journey, he noted that any respect he receives in public life is owed to the integrity of his late father, who held office for only nine months. He praised KORT’s longstanding humanitarian services, recalling that the organisation consistently stepped forward to help Kashmir and other parts of Pakistan during natural disasters. He said institutions like KORT reinforce public confidence and help distribute social responsibility, calling the provision of new homes to widows a noble act of charity. He announced that KORT would be given office space in the capital and assured the organisation of complete government cooperation.
The ceremony was attended by Most Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed, Minister for Public Health Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, Minister for Kashmir Cause, Arts & Literature Ms. Nabeela Ayub, KORT founder Chaudhry Muhammad Akhtar, Mayor Muzaffarabad Syed Sikandar Gilani, Advocate Zulqarnain Naqvi, KORT officials, members of civil society, widows, orphaned children and beneficiaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed said the government would continue to extend maximum support to KORT, expressing satisfaction at the organisation’s performance. He noted that the establishment of KORT after the 2005 earthquake was a divine blessing, and praised the humanitarian perseverance of Chaudhry Akhtar and his team. He highlighted that 195 houses have already been built and handed over to widowed families under KORT’s supervision.
Minister for Public Health Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi said that serving humanity is the highest form of service, and assured that the government would fully support KORT. He added that the current government aims to deliver visible improvements in health, roads and other sectors, in line with the Pakistan Peoples Party’s philosophy of ensuring food, clothing and shelter for all.
Minister for Kashmir Cause, Arts & Literature Ms. Nabeela Ayub said she considers herself part of KORT’s mission, commending Chaudhry Akhtar for supporting widows and orphaned children with dedication and compassion. She compared his services to those of the Edhi Welfare Trust and pledged full cooperation for the welfare of vulnerable children.
KORT Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Akhtar said the organisation continues to serve as a strong partner of the government. He said 100 homes have already been handed over to deserving families on merit, and that KORT teams have worked in remote areas to reach the most neglected communities. He announced that the burn centre established at Kotli DHQ Hospital will become operational in the coming months, while the hospital under construction in Mirpur will be fully functional within three years to provide free treatment to the needy. He also revealed plans to establish a burn centre at CMH Muzaffarabad, alongside ongoing clean drinking water projects.
Under the KORT Housing Project for Widows, keys for an additional 30 newly constructed homes were distributed at the event to widows from three districts of Muzaffarabad Division. These houses particularly benefit widows with children under 18 who have no family support. KORT has so far handed over 130 homes across Azad Kashmir. In Phase One, 100 homes were built in 10 districts at a cost of Rs195 million, while Phase Two aims to construct another 100 homes across the same districts at an estimated cost of Rs250 million. The first segment of Phase Two has now delivered 30 houses — 10 per district — to eligible beneficiaries, while construction of 70 more houses is currently ongoing and expected to be completed in the coming months.