Current Projects

Al-Irshad Education Scholarships

Pakistan has the second highest number of out of school children, after Nigeria, in the world. Currently, 22.8 million children aged 5-16 not attending school, representing 44 per cent of the total population in this age group. Nearly 10.7 million boys and 8.6 million girls are enrolled at the primary level but only 3.6 million boys and 2.8 million girls reach at the lower secondary level. Almost 7.1 million (71 Lakh) boys and 5.8 million (58 lakh) girls drop out before they reach lower secondary level. This is probably the highest school dropout rate in the world.

We are operating in one of the underdeveloped subdivisions of Punjab, Pind Dadan Khan. This is one of the four subdivisions of district Jhelum. This subdivision is famous for Khewra Salt Mines, Asia’s largest salt mine, in use for over 2000 years. Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni commonly known as al-Biruni used Nandna Fort located at Baghanawala-a small mountain village of Pind Dadan Khan-to measure the Earth’s radius. Αl-Biruni was an astronomer, mathematician, and philosopher. He was the first one to obtain a simple formula for measuring the Earth’s radius. The name of Government Al Beruni Degree College Pind Dadan Khan was honoured to Abu Rayhan Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Biruni. The area has a long history from the time of Alexander the Great’s invasion (325–327 BC). The small town of Jalalpur Sharif is in Pind Dadan Khan and is said to be where Alexander the Great’s famous horse, Bucephalus is buried.

According to the Population Census of 2017, the total population of subdivision Pind Dadan Khan is 336,841 (164,411 male:172,404 female and transgender 26). According to academic research conducted by Dr Waheed Mughal, more than 700 secondary school students drop out each year in subdivision Pind Dadan Khan. The purpose of Al-Irshad Education Scholarships is to help the poor students in completing their education. The Council has helped more than 2400 children in completing their school education.

Al-Irshad Kafalat Programme

As of 2020, Pakistan’s Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.557, and ranks 154 out of 189 countries. Pakistan’s HDI is one of the lowest in Asia, after Yemen and Afghanistan. For the fiscal year 2020–21, the World Bank recorded poverty in Pakistan at 39.3% by using the lower middle-income poverty rate of US$3.2 per day, and 78.4% the upper middle-income poverty rate of US$5.5 per day.

The purpose of Al-Irshad Kafalat Programme is to provide financial support to the impoverished families so that they can meet their daily needs. We give priority to the orphans, disable and sick people. The founder of the Council, Dr Waheed Mughal and his family has committed 2.5 million rupees every year for Al-Irshad Kafalat Programme.

Agahi (Awareness) Forum

Public awareness is important to increase enthusiasm and support, stimulate self-mobilisation and action, and mobilise local knowledge and resources. Public awareness is a way to bring certain issues to the attention of a group of people or concerned authorities. The Council regularly holds public awareness forums on different issues to education the rural community.

Educate a Woman- Educate a Family

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) said, “Acquisition of knowledge is binding on all Muslims (both men and women without any discrimination). [Narrated by Ibn Maja]. The old African proverb “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a family (nation)”.

The Council encourages and promotes women education in the remote rural areas. The Council has provided basic education and skills training programmes to nearly 450 women aged 12-25 living the remote rural areas of subdivision with the help of Community Development Council (CDC), Al-Markaz Jhelum.

Health Awareness Programmes

The Council delivers programs to raise health awareness among men and women of all ages. We mainly focus on mother and baby health. We arrange lectures, seminars and walks to raise health awareness among the rural community.

Disaster Response Force

Our Disaster Response Force responds to disasters and emergencies in Pakistan. We collect items from the local community and send them to the affected areas.

Love Your Life - Say No to Drugs

To promote a healthy life, the Council launched an awareness campaign ‘Manishiyat sey inkar- Zindgi sey piyar’ – Love your life, say no to drugs. The Council launched a massive campaign against the drug sellers in subdivision Pind Dadan Khan in 2003-4. The Council provided treatment and rehabilitation services to nearly 50 addicts with the help of Nai Zindagi Trust. The Council regularly organises sports events for the youth to engage them in healthy activities.

Al-Irshad Ambulance Service

The current population of Pakistan is more than 225 million. Pakistan ranks number 5th in the world by population in the list of 235 countries/territories. The country’s health care system is adversely affected by the non-availability of doctors and adequate medical facilities in its rural and remote areas. Many people go dead on their way to hospitals in nearby cities due to the absence of ambulance services.

Rural Areas Development Council-Al-Irshad is going to start ambulance service for the rural community of Union Council Pinanwal and its neighboring areas. The charges for using our ambulance service are:

Within subdivision Pind Dadan Khan = Patrol cost + Rs. 500
Outside of subdivision Pind Dadan Khan= Patrol cost + Rs. 1000

The service is not for profit. The people of Union Council Pinanwal and its neighboring areas only. The generated money from this service will be spent on drivers’ salaries, maintenance of the ambulance, and those poor people who are unable to afford the petrol cost.

SEED Fund

Seerat Fatima Educational & Empowerment Fund for Girls

The SEED Fund, named in honour of Seerat Fatima the daughter of Dr Waheed Mughal, is dedicated to nurturing the dreams and aspirations of young girls by breaking down barriers to education and personal growth. Our mission is to provide financial support, resources, and opportunities that empower girls to thrive academically, socially, and professionally.

We believe that education is the most powerful tool for change, and by investing in girls’ education, we invest in a brighter, more equitable future. The fund provides scholarships, mentorship programs, and skill-building workshops, fostering an environment where girls can develop confidence, leadership, and the resilience to pursue their ambitions.

The SEED Fund works to create sustainable pathways for girls, especially those from underserved communities, to access quality education and realise their full potential. Together, we plant the seeds of empowerment, growth, and transformation — ensuring that every girl has the chance to bloom.

Initially, SEED Fund is limited to higher secondary school girls of subdivision Pind Dadan Khan.

Rural Areas Development Council- Al-Irshad