PESHAWAR: A writ petition was filed in the Peshawar High Court on Monday seeking to ensure the welfare, education, healthcare and transparent use of government funds for orphan and destitute children at Darul Atfal in Hashtnagri, a historic and old orphanage allegedly facing administrative and financial mismanagement.
The petition has been filed by advocate Shabbir Hussain Gigyani, who contended that Dar-ul-Atfal was established in Peshawar’s Hashtnagri area for the welfare of orphan children. He said the education, health, food, accommodation and better future of orphan and destitute children should be the institution’s foremost priority.
The petition pointed out that a struggle over posts and powers in the administrative affairs of the institution has raised concerns that its primary objective , the welfare of orphan children , could be affected.
It questioned to what extent the presence at the orphanage of people who have become adults, and even married, is consistent with the law and the institution’s basic purpose, while limited resources are primarily meant for orphan and deserving children.
The petitioner stressed the need to ensure transparency and accountability in the government funds, resources and expenditures allocated to the institution.However, the ultimate facts regarding any financial or administrative irregularities can only emerge through the relevant record, investigations and judicial scrutiny.
According to the petitioner, Darul Atfal is not the property of any individual, office-holder or group but a trust held for orphan children. Therefore, the best interests of the children should be given priority in its administrative and financial affairs instead of personal, political or group interests.
The lawyer said the purpose of the writ petition was neither to defame any individual nor to seek personal action against anyone, but to bring the orphanage back to its original purpose.He said the state had a responsibility to provide orphan and destitute children with dignity, protection, education, healthcare and a better future. If an institution’s resources are allocated for these children, they should be used in their best interests.
The petitioner said a transparent and lawful system should be established at Darul Atfal, the rights of deserving children should be protected, proper use of government funds should be ensured, and the institution should be freed from conflicts over posts and powers so that it could genuinely become a centre for serving orphan children.
He prayed to the court to review the administrative, financial and welfare affairs of the orphanage in accordance with the law and issue appropriate orders for the protection of the rights of orphans and deserving children.
