ABBOTTABAD — The historic Idara-e-Tadrees-ul-Quran Yateem Khana Abbottabad has been formally relaunched under the new name “Abbottabad Sweet Home,” marking a significant new chapter in the institution’s 86-year history.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Development has officially approved the new name and issued the corresponding certificate. The decision to rename the institution and amend its constitution was approved through a resolution passed at a General Body meeting.
Addressing a press conference, Chairman Muhammad Sajid Awan said the new name was approved after the institution fulfilled all legal requirements set by the provincial Social Welfare Department.
He attributed the transformation and structural reforms to the dedicated efforts of the board, which worked to modernize the institution while preserving its historic legacy and core mission of serving children.
According to the institution’s history, its journey began in 1940, while formal registration took place under the British government in 1945. After the creation of Pakistan, the organization continued its humanitarian work and was formally registered in West Pakistan in 1963.
For decades, the institution has focused on the care, education, training and upbringing of children, while also serving broader humanitarian and social welfare objectives.
Its late founder, Sufi Ghulam Hussain Naqshbandi, led the institution from 1940 to 1976 and played a key role in establishing its foundations. He was followed by the late Al-Haj Sardar Bahadur Dalazak, Advocate Supreme Court, who served as chairman from 1976 to 2005.
Since 2005, Muhammad Sajid Awan has led the institution, with its work continuing to focus on education, training, child welfare and social service while adapting to changing needs.
Explaining the rationale behind the new identity, Awan said the name “Abbottabad Sweet Home” reflects the institution’s vision of providing children with a sense of home, love, protection, care, belonging and hope.
He said the institution aims to ensure that children under its care are able to establish their identities in society not through the circumstances of their deprivation, but through education, talent, character and confidence in the future.
Awan said the concept of “Sweet Home” represents an environment where children’s needs are addressed, their education and upbringing are prioritized, and they receive love and security while being prepared for better opportunities in life.
He emphasized that the new name does not represent a departure from the institution’s historical mission. Rather, it marks the beginning of a new phase in 2026 while preserving the organization’s longstanding spirit of humanitarian service and commitment to educating and nurturing children.
He described the transition from Idara-e-Tadrees-ul-Quran Yateem Khana Abbottabad to Abbottabad Sweet Home as both a continuation of the institution’s historic legacy and a new direction aimed at improving its future services and performance.
During the press conference, Awan also appealed to philanthropists and well-wishers to visit the institution personally, observe its facilities and understand the needs of the children under its care.
He expressed hope that greater public engagement and support would help the institution strengthen its services and provide better opportunities for the children in the years ahead.