Having grown up in one of the poorest areas of Pakistan, I saw first hand how poverty can ruin people’s lives and deprive children of the hope of a decent future. As my village had no school, every day I had to walk more than seven kilometres to a neighbouring village so that I could get any education.
Many children supported by Ensar Welfare Trust come from some of the most deprived areas of Pakistan. In rural communities near Mianchannun, such as village 114/15, access to basic education remains a daily struggle.
In these villages, there are often no schools available. Young children are forced to travel long distances to neighboring areas just to receive an education. Some, as young as eight years old, walk more than 7 kilometers every day.
These journeys are not easy. There are no proper roads—only rough dirt tracks. The environment can be harsh, dry, and unforgiving. For a child, walking alone through such conditions is not only physically exhausting but also emotionally distressing.
The path to education should never be filled with fear and uncertainty. No child should have to worry about their safety just to attend school.
At Ensar Welfare Trust, we are committed to changing this reality. Our mission is to bring education closer to these communities, ensuring that every child has access to safe, quality learning opportunities without hardship.
But I was one of the lucky ones; while not from a rich family, we were not steeped in poverty. I was able to do extremely well in my studies; always secured top positions and won Gold Medals and merit scholarships in almost all my exams.
In gaining my MBA from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, I secured first position throughout the university and won the Gold Medal and Government of Pakistan merit scholarship for studies abroad, enabling me to come to the UK to study. I did my MBA at Imperial College, London. I then initially worked as a lecturer in Marketing and Strategic Management at the same university and later in the commercial sector.
It was in 1993-¬94, during the horrors of the Bosnian crisis, that I became interested in the work of charities. This then led me to initially volunteer and later work in the sector for a few years.
In the early days of Ensar Welfare Trust, the world witnessed tragic global events that deeply affected communities everywhere. During this time, charitable organizations—especially those working within Muslim communities—faced increased scrutiny and public misunderstanding.
This created significant challenges for emerging charities. Questions were raised about their purpose and activities, making it harder to build trust and continue humanitarian efforts.
At the same time, many individuals involved in charitable work experienced personal and professional setbacks. Plans, partnerships, and initiatives were disrupted as uncertainty grew around anything associated with Islamic identity.
However, difficult moments often bring unexpected clarity. For Ensar Welfare Trust, this period became a turning point. It strengthened the commitment to transparency, accountability, and service to humanity.
When the founder of Ensar Welfare Trust established his business in 1998 and achieved stability, he felt a strong desire to give back to the community. Having experienced hardship firsthand, he was determined that others should not have to face the same struggles—especially the fear and difficulty children endured just to access education.
With this vision, he took the first step by establishing a school in his village, ensuring that children could receive quality education close to home, in a safe and supportive environment.
From the very beginning, the vision behind Ensar Welfare Trust was clear: the most effective way to fight poverty is to empower people to help themselves. By providing training, tools, livestock, and essential resources, individuals can build sustainable livelihoods and stand on their own feet with dignity.
With the formal establishment of the organization, the founder was able to combine business experience with a deep understanding of community needs, creating a platform dedicated to giving back and supporting those facing hardship.
While internationally it was a very difficult time to run a charity with an Islamic name, it made me more determined to succeed and to show the importance of helping desperately poor communities, many of whom had little idea of what the world may be thinking.
Today, Alhamdulillah, the vision that began with a small initiative has grown into a meaningful journey of service. Ensar Welfare Trust continues to expand its efforts, reaching more communities in need and delivering life-changing support through education, healthcare, and livelihood programs.
With the support of generous donors and dedicated volunteers, the organization has been able to positively impact thousands of lives. Our work continues to grow, extending support to vulnerable communities across different regions and developing projects that bring long-term, sustainable change.
These achievements have also enabled us to collaborate with and support other organizations working toward poverty alleviation and community development, strengthening our shared mission of creating a better future.
I remain deeply motivated by my early life experiences. They continue to inspire me to work tirelessly toward a world where poverty and suffering are reduced, and every child has the opportunity to grow up with dignity, independence, and hope.
I sincerely hope you will join us in this mission and support the work of Ensar Welfare Trust—today and in the future.
Thank you.
Founder & Chairman
Ensar Welfare Trust