By Chaudhry Shafiq ur Rehman Warraich
Every year on 5 December, the world observes International Volunteers Day. The purpose of this day is to encourage service to humanity, promote the spirit of helping others, and highlight how small acts of kindness can spark meaningful change in society. It inspires compassion, solidarity, and cooperation among communities. The day was introduced by the United Nations in 1985.
Yet, if we reflect as Muslims, we find that the essence of volunteerism was taught to us more than fourteen centuries ago. When Allah bestowed Prophethood upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), He also made him the greatest example of service to humanity. Following this Prophetic model, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League and its Khidmat-e-Khalq Department have embraced service as their core mission. From the most junior worker to senior leadership — every member is a volunteer.
These dedicated young men and women carry the fragrance of their homeland in their steps and the pain of the Muslim Ummah in their hearts. Sometimes, they place a comforting hand on an elderly shoulder; sometimes, they serve food at the doorstep of widows; sometimes, they stand as a guardian for orphans; and at other times, they run to answer the cry of someone in distress.
The greatest strength of Pakistan Markazi Muslim League’s volunteers is that wherever they go, they bring hope. If they carry a bag of ration, they also carry prayers and compassion. When they set up a medical camp, they do more than treat wounds—they heal hearts with trust and kindness. Their feet may tire, but their resolve never does. They remain unmoved by criticism and undeterred by opposition, for their purpose is to earn the pleasure of Allah.
Their service brings peace, gratitude, and renewed hope to countless homes. A day will come when history will record that in this country, there were volunteers who rejected the politics of division and destruction and instead devoted themselves to rebuilding the nation. These volunteers have shown the people that service is not merely a word; it is a mindset, a moral responsibility, and a spiritual discipline. They perform tasks for this country that even major institutions often fail to accomplish. Their simplicity shines through their actions, yet the impact of their service echoes with greatness. They may hold no ministries, but they hold the sincere prayers of thousands. They have no official protocol, but the angels extend their wings for them.
When we speak of the services of the Khidmat-e-Khalq Department, even thousands of pages are not enough. Its work spans across the country. Recently, Pakistan faced one of the worst floods in its history. Entire villages in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were washed away due to floods and cloudbursts. Bridges collapsed, roads disappeared, and when India released excess water, our rivers burst their banks, destroying dozens of more settlements.
In those moments of devastation, the world witnessed who the true servants of the nation really were. The volunteers of Pakistan Markazi Muslim League carried out relief efforts that will be remembered in golden words. More than 171,000 people were safely evacuated. 138 rescue boats and over 16,000 volunteers took part in the operations. Over 25,000 people were sheltered in tent villages. More than 4 million cooked meals were distributed, along with 128,000 ration bags and 1.9 million bottles of clean drinking water. Thousands received bedding, mosquito nets, and household essentials.
To support medical needs, over 1,500 field medical camps were set up, providing treatment to more than 700,000 patients. In several relief villages established by the Khidmat-e-Khalq Department, newborn babies came into the world safely. The Muslim Students League established 20 support schools, and to restore joy in children’s lives, toys, gift packs, and milk cartons were distributed widely.
Though the floods receded, the suffering of the victims did not. While rescue and relief were urgent tasks, true work begins with rehabilitation. Volunteers of the Khidmat-e-Khalq Department have already initiated home reconstruction and agricultural assistance for affected farmers. This recovery process will take months, and our volunteers remain fully dedicated.
Pakistan faces destructive floods almost every year due to climate change — a reality repeatedly highlighted by the United Nations. Instead of lamenting the darkness, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League believes in lighting a candle. In line with UN climate goals, large-scale tree plantation campaigns are carried out annually across the country.
To counter future disasters, the Khidmat-e-Khalq Department is working on both emergency and long-term strategies. These include establishing district-level rescue centres equipped with emergency response, fire and water rescue, and medical facilities. These centres will have trained volunteers available 24/7. Modern academies will train thousands of youth in disaster management, life-saving skills, and climate awareness.
For women, vocational training centres are being planned to ensure dignified livelihood opportunities. Under the nationwide food programme “Khana Sab Ke Liye”, hundreds of food points are set up daily outside hospitals and public places for labourers and the underserved. During Ramadan, the “Sehri Sab Ke Liye” programme continues across cities and villages, providing thousands with dignified meals.
Today, as the world celebrates International Volunteers Day, we firmly believe that in the darkest moments of hardship, the volunteers of Pakistan Markazi Muslim League stand as the first ray of hope. Each volunteer is a story of courage: a student who donates his time, an employee who spends his day off serving the poor, a trader who shares the blessings of his livelihood, or a doctor who sacrifices rest to heal the sick. They give up their comfort to create comfort for others.
The writer is Chairman, Khidmat-e-Khalq Department, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League.