A once neglected institution for orphans and homeless children in Lahore has been transformed into a state-of-the-art model children’s home, offering modern facilities and a safe environment for its residents.
The project, initiated under the leadership of former caretaker Chief Minister and current Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, has been completed under the supervision of the Lahore Institute of Health Sciences.
Mohsin Naqvi visited the newly renovated facility in Samanabad, where he reviewed the improvements and praised Gohar Ejaz and his son, Sultan Gohar, for their role in the restoration.
“It is a matter of great joy that Gohar Ejaz's work has been taken forward in the best possible way by his son Sultan Gohar. May Allah reward him,” said Mohsin Naqvi.
During his inspection, Naqvi toured the children’s rooms, washrooms, and cafeteria, expressing appreciation for the high-quality living conditions now provided.
To mark the occasion, he also distributed Eid gifts among the children and shared emotional moments with several of them, including two brothers, Haider Ali and Ibrahim Ali. He also met a young cricket enthusiast, Kamran, and invited him to train at an academy.
Reflecting on his initial visit to the institution in late 2023, Naqvi described the horrific conditions in which the children were living. The water filtration plant was covered in dust, the rooms were in ruins, the kitchen was infested with insects, and the staff had been absent for days, leaving the children neglected.
“The situation was so terrible that anyone witnessing it would be deeply disturbed,” Naqvi recalled.
He emphasized that such a large-scale transformation would not have been possible under government management alone, which is why he reached out to Gohar Ejaz for immediate intervention.
Gohar Ejaz, in his remarks, shared that he received Naqvi’s urgent call at 2 AM, describing the dire state of the institution and entrusting him with the responsibility of its revival.
“With Allah’s grace, we took on this challenge and successfully transformed it into a facility these children deserve,” Ejaz stated.
With the completion of this project, the Samanabad Children’s Home now stands as a model institution, offering a safe, clean, and well-equipped environment for orphaned and abandoned children.
Naqvi expressed hope that this initiative would serve as a blueprint for child welfare reforms across Pakistan, ensuring that no child is left to suffer in neglect and deprivation.