The keys to 250 houses, constructed for the flood-affected families of Balochistan in Pakistan, have officially been handed over during a heartfelt ceremony at the Chief Minister’s House in Quetta.

The event was graced by the presence of Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, alongside Chairman KORT, Choudhary Mohammed Akhtar.

Other notable attendees included Saleem Khosa, Minister for Communication & Works, Asim Kurd, Minister for Revenue, and Barkat Rind, Parliamentary Secretary, Hamza Shafqaat Commissioner Quetta, among other dignitaries.

The Balochistan housing project, another Kashmir Orphans Relief Trust (KORT) initiative marks a significant milestone towards rebuilding lives and restoring hope for those impacted by the 2022 floods.

KORT, a UK registered charity, began its work in Pakistan 19-years ago following the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that rocked the northern areas of Kashmir and Pakistan.

The charity’s chairman, Chaudhry Mohammed Akhtar, after witnessing the plight of thousands – especially the orphan children, was compelled to respond.

Ch Akhtar rented a building in established sanctuary for orphan children, but that was just the beginning. In 2008, fuelled by desire to provide even greater support, built a new purpose facility that would redefine the very concept of an orphanage.

Up to date, KORT has delivered educational and residential projects for over 1,500 children.

The last year has seen KORT commit to building and delivering schools across Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), dozens of two-bedroom dwellings for vulnerable widows and their young families, as well as providing hundreds of educational resources to children.

Their most ambitious project yet is also currently underway – a 500-bed £32M free healthcare facility, which is set to change the lives of millions of people in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, and surrounding areas.

The KORT Hospital Complex will feature an Accident & Emergency department, along with full hospital services such as outpatient care, radiology, paediatrics, pathology, pulmonary, dental and eye clinics, proving an essential lifeline for the poor and needy. 

Also being developed on site is accommodation for staff and students, a dental college, a nursing training college, a teaching college as well as other facilities.