Springfield, Virginia. February 22, 2026: An exceptionally inspiring Iftar dinner was organized by the leadership of Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) and Insaniat Foundation at the prestigious Haveli Banquet Hall in Springfield, Virginia. The gathering brought together more than two hundred members of the Washington metropolitan community in an atmosphere of gratitude, unity, and reflection.
The evening was thoughtfully arranged by Sardar Zarif Khan, President of the Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA) and Member of the Board of Trustees of KORT; Saqib Javed, CEO of KORT USA; Akram Butt, Chairman of Insaniat Foundation; along with Imran Butt, Sardar Shoaib Irshad, Hifzan Yaqoob, and Usman Ali Shah.
The organizers emphasized that the dinner was not a fundraising event, but rather a heartfelt expression of appreciation for the brothers and sisters whose steadfast support has helped turn KORT’s vision into reality in Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Choudhary Mohammed Akhtar, Founder and Chairman of KORT, an inspiring soul who has dedicated his life to help the orphans not only of Azad Kashmir – his motherland – but of Pakistan as well is undoubtedly a selfless, sincere and dedicated personality, addressed the gathering via Zoom from England. With deep emotion, he recounted the remarkable journey of KORT — from a modest rented building in Mirpur with just 35 students to a transformative institution serving tens of thousands of orphaned children across Pakistan.
“I am a British national,” he reflected, “but I feel honored and delighted that I have been able to contribute to my motherland and serve children who lost their parents during the 2005 earthquake and subsequent tragedies.”
Choudhary Akhtar emphasized that at KORT, the word “orphanage” does not exist. Instead, children are given a home — a place where they receive not only education and healthcare, but also clothing, nourishment, opportunities, and, above all, dignity and honor.
KORT’s humanitarian outreach has expanded beyond Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to support communities affected by conflict and natural disasters in Afghanistan, Turkey, Gaza, and Syria. During the devastating floods of 2022 in Pakistan, KORT constructed hundreds of homes, including more than 250 in Baluchistan province alone.
Saqib Javed highlighted that, with the blessings of the Almighty and the generosity of donors, the KORT Educational & Residential Complex was completed in 2016. The complex includes a school accommodating up to 1,500 orphaned children, dining facilities serving 600 at a time, separate hostels for 500 girls and 500 boys, and a mosque for 1,500 worshippers equipped with accessible facilities.
Sardar Zarif Khan shared further milestones, including the advancement of KORT Healthcare City Mirpur, Azad Kashmir’s largest and most modern healthcare facility. Phase I contracts — valued at PKR 3.36 billion — have been finalized for the multi-story hospital and parking facility.
He also proudly noted that KORT School and College of Excellence received the prestigious Zayed Sustainability Prize 2024, valued at $100,000, at COP28 in Dubai. Two young representatives of KORT — Sumaiya Bibi and Kinza Bibi, both orphaned in the 2005 earthquake — accepted the award from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Their journey from loss to leadership stands as a symbol of resilience and hope.
A deeply moving video presentation by Sardar Shoaib Irshad showed students affectionately addressing Choudhary Akhtar as “Abu Ji.” Few in the audience could hold back tears as they witnessed the bond between the children and the man they consider a father figure.
Akram Butt, Chairman of Insaniat Foundation, described the organization not merely as an institution but as a movement committed to building a society where every child is cherished and empowered. He emphasized transparency, accountability, and an open-book policy to ensure that every contribution generates meaningful impact.
Akram Butt added that the collective vision of our team for a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive is what propels us forward. Together, they form a formidable force for change, inspiring our team, volunteers, and the communities we serve to unite in the noble cause of creating a brighter, more equitable future for the children of Pakistan.
Imran Butt acknowledged the entrepreneurial and philanthropic contributions of Sardar Zarif Khan, Muazzam Aftab Sahi, Hamid Malik, and Aftab Nayyar Siddiqui, whose strategic leadership has strengthened the foundation’s mission.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the World Forum for Peace & Justice, echoed Choudhary Akhtar’s appreciation for the extraordinary generosity of the Pakistani diaspora in America and Europe. He cited Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, who has described the Pakistani American community as among the most charitable. Dr. Fai also quoted the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Charity does not decrease wealth; rather, it increases it, and it brings the mercy of Allah upon us” (Al-Tirmidhi).
Dr. Fai said that this was not just an Iftar — it was a testimony of service, dignity, and collective compassion of the leadership of KORT. And Insaniat Foundation.
A special condolence prayer was offered in memory of Barrister Sultan Mehmood Choudhary, former President of Azad Kashmir, whose tireless advocacy elevated the Kashmir issue in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Other notable who attended the Iftar/dinner included: Dr. Mohammad, Dr Rizwan, Mazhar Chugtai, Haider Irshad, Hamid Malik, Moazzam Aftab, Gul Sher, Asif Mangat, Bilal Butt, Fazan Butt, Akbar Choudhry, Farid Khan, Atif Raja, Imran Raja, Amir Raja, Zulifqar Mian, Waseem Mian, Zeeshan Khan.
The evening concluded with the serving of traditional Pakistani cuisine, leaving participants inspired by the collective spirit of compassion and service.
