De Laas Gul

27/08/2026

A Tragedy That Demands Accountability

The breaking out of fire in the nursery of PIMS, Islamabad’s premier public hospital, in which 14 of the 15 newborn babies reportedly lost their lives, is beyond horrific. It is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing.

These were newborn children—completely helpless and entirely dependent on the hospital for their safety and care.

Explanations about the increasing number of patients or Islamabad’s growing population cannot wash away questions of negligence, inadequate safety arrangements, poor preparedness, or administrative apathy. A growing population makes it more urgent, not less, to strengthen hospital facilities and safety systems.

This tragedy demands a thorough, transparent and independent investigation. If negligence or dereliction of duty is established, those responsible must face appropriate punitive action.

But accountability alone is not enough. We need a serious commitment from the government to ensure that such a horrendous and painful incident is never repeated—not at PIMS and not in any hospital anywhere in Pakistan.

The lives of these innocent newborns must not be reduced to a statistic. Their deaths must compel us to ask difficult questions, establish responsibility and bring fundamental change to the way we protect our most vulnerable citizens.

May Allah bless these innocent souls and give their grieving families strength to bear an unimaginable loss.

26/08/2026

A Tragedy That Should Make Us Think

The tragic incident of the 3½-year-old girl from Qadra, Gadoon, whose body was found in the well of her own home after three days of searching, has deeply disturbed me.

The child had fallen into the well without anyone knowing. The family and the whole community were looking for her elsewhere, even suspecting that she had been abducted.

Beyond the grief, this tragedy raises a painful question: how carefully are we actually looking after our young children?

A child of three cannot understand danger. It is the responsibility of parents and other adults in the family to know where the child is, and to make the home and its surroundings safe.

We often talk about education, but responsible parenting also needs to be taught. Having children is not only about giving them food, clothing and schooling. It is accepting responsibility for their safety, upbringing and wellbeing.

This little girl's death should make every parent look around their own home and ask: Are my children truly safe?

18/06/2026

All these years, I thought my journey had too many identities: educator, social worker, entrepreneur, politician, and trainer.

Today, I see them differently.

Education shapes minds. Community work reveals real needs.
Public service teaches policy. Leadership training builds people's capacity to act.

They are not separate paths. They are parts of one mission:

To develop people and strengthen institutions so that better communities, better policies, and a more hopeful future become possible.

Real change happens when teachers, women, youth, development professionals, and public representatives all become capable leaders in their own spheres.

That is the work that continues to inspire me every day.

17/06/2026

Over the years, I have noticed something.

People remember how we made them feel long after they forget what we said.

They may not remember the details of a training session, a meeting, or a conversation.

But they remember
Whether they felt respected. Whether they felt heard. Whether they felt encouraged.

The same is true in education and leadership.

Knowledge matters.
Expertise matters.
Results matter.
But human connection matters just as much.

Perhaps one of the most underrated skills in life is the ability to make another person feel seen and valued.

I have learned that when people feel respected, they become more willing to learn, to contribute, and to grow.

And sometimes, that feeling becomes the beginning of transformation.

07/06/2026

As De Laas Gul enters its Golden Jubilee year, I find myself reflecting on one of the greatest gifts we can offer a child: language.

Language is more than words. It is how we understand ourselves, express our thoughts, preserve our stories, and connect with the world around us.

In our classrooms, we often focus on what children should learn. Yet equally important is how they learn to speak, listen, read, question, and communicate. A child who finds their voice gains confidence. A child who learns to listen gains understanding.

Whether it is our mother tongue, our national languages, or the languages that open doors to wider opportunities, each one adds a new dimension to learning.

As we celebrate fifty years of De Laas Gul, I am reminded that education is not only about transmitting knowledge. It is about nurturing voices—voices that can think critically, speak respectfully, and contribute meaningfully to society.

The future belongs not only to those who know, but to those who can communicate, collaborate, and continue learning throughout their lives.

What role has language played in your own learning journey?

01/06/2026

09/05/2026

DLG/BC Scottish Scholarship Programme 2025–26
The 3rd distribution ceremony of the DLG/BC Scottish Scholarship Programme 2025–26 was held on 7 May 2026 at Government Girls High School Bandagul in Bajaur District. Bajaur, one of the newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, continues to face significant educational challenges due to militancy, poverty, displacement, floods, weak infrastructure, and limited investment in the education sector. These challenges have greatly affected girls’ access to quality education and social development. Girls in the district continue to face barriers such as low literacy rates, shortage of schools, lack of transportation, cultural restrictions, early marriages, and inadequate educational facilities.
In response to these challenges, DLG continued the scholarship programme in Bajaur for another year with the aim of reducing dropout rates and easing the financial burden on families by supporting girls’ education beyond middle school. Under this initiative, 20 scholarships were awarded to students of Government Girls High School, Tehsil Utman Khel, Bajaur.
The selection of scholarship recipients was carried out by a committee led by the School Principal, DLG Focal Person Mr. Muhammad Zada, and school staff. The ceremony was attended by the DLG team, including Programme Director Qasim Khan, social activist and poet Noman Khan, school staff, and DLG Focal Person Mr. Muhammad Zada.
During the event, the Programme Director highlighted the objectives of the scholarship programme and emphasized the importance of girls’ education in Bajaur. He encouraged students to continue their studies with dedication and contribute positively to the development of their communities. Mr. Noman Khan also stressed the importance of girls’ education and appreciated the commitment of teachers and school staff serving in remote areas.
The Principal of the school appreciated the efforts of DLG and the British Council for extending support to District Bajaur for the second consecutive year. She assured full cooperation in future initiatives and expressed confidence that continued support would help students achieve outstanding academic results and strengthen girls’ education in the district.
The event concluded with the distribution of educational kits among scholarship students by the Programme Director of DLG, social activist Mr. Noman Khan, and DLG Focal Person Mr. Muhammad Zada.

05/05/2026

District Buner Educational Kits Distribution Report
Date: May 4, 2026

The distribution of educational kits commenced in District Buner on Monday, May 4, 2026. The inaugural event was held at Government Girls High School Pacha Kaly. District Buner was severely affected by the 2025 floods. During the emergency response, De Laas Gul (DLG) played a vital role by providing cash assistance to families whose homes were either fully or partially destroyed.

As recovery efforts continue and livelihoods gradually restore, the distribution of educational kits serves as timely support for affected families. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on parents and encourage the continued education of students, enabling them to strive for academic excellence.

The ceremony began with the name of Allah, followed by a formal introduction to the Scottish Scholarship Scheme for young women by the Programme Director Mr. Qasim Khan. The Honourable Chairperson of DLG, Ms. Meraj Hamayun Khan, attended the event as Chief Guest. The school principal Ms Saeeda, along with Ms. Sara Farid, Research Associate also graced the occasion.

In her address, Ms. Meraj Hamayun Khan congratulated both students and their parents. She emphasized the importance of girls’ education and encouraged students to work hard, stating that they are the future nation builders with the power to bring positive change. She also acknowledged and appreciated the contributions of the British Council and the Scottish Government for supporting education initiatives in remote areas.
The school principal expressed gratitude to DLG and the British Council for their continued efforts in promoting girls’ education in a district like Buner.

A total of 20 students, including 5 from minority communities, received educational kits during the event.