PESHAWAR: Administrator of Apwa Darul Atfal here has urged the authorities concerned to place the orphanage under ‘official protection’ and ensure the safety of orphan and underprivileged children living there.
Addressing a news conference here on Thursday, Yasmin Awan alleged that the ‘land mafia’ was attempting to take control of the Apwa Darul Atfal and its property in Hashtnagri.
She added that the group initially obtained two rooms on the premises for social work and later distributed food items and clothing intended for orphaned children among outsiders.
Ms Awan also alleged that an attempt was made to seize theorphanage through a ‘fake order’ but the administration resisted it.
She said the disputed property comprised around five kanals of land belonging to Hindu Evacuee Trust property.
The administrator alleged that certain individuals were interested in acquiring the land for commercial development and putting up a building there.
She denied allegations of financial wrongdoing and insisted she had served as administrator of the orphanage for the past 16 years, maintaining a ‘clean record’.
‘All donations and financial transactions are properly documented and have happened through banking channels,’ she said.
Ms Awan said all records relating to donations and expenditures were available for scrutiny.
She further claimed that disputes over positions and property associated with the institution were currently pending with courts.The administrator argued that no appointments or administrative orders could legally be issued until those matters were resolved.
She alleged that recent actions at the facility had adversely affected the welfare of orphaned children.
Ms Awan claimed that some children had been denied access to the orphanage and that food supplies had been disrupted over the past two days.
She also accused certain police officials of acting in a partisan manner and alleged that children protesting in support of the orphanage administration had been threatened with legal action.
The administrator urged Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the provincial government, the social welfare department and authorities responsible for taking care of Hindu trust properties to intervene to safeguard the ‘future of vulnerable’ children living in the institution.