British-Pakistani Man Donates Entire UK Property Portfolio to Rebuild Schools in Azad Kashmir

In a heartwarming example of selflessness, a British-Pakistani man, Chaudhary Muhammad Aslam, has donated his entire life savings and property holdings in the UK to build 35 schools in the earthquake-affected areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Chaudhary Aslam, originally from Mirpur, had migrated to the United Kingdom nearly five decades ago. Through years of hard work, dedication, and persistence, he was able to purchase five residential properties in Britain. These represented a lifetime of effort, symbolizing financial stability and success abroad.

However, in 2023, Aslam made a life-changing decision. Upon returning to his hometown in Azad Kashmir, he was devastated to see the long-standing impact of the 2005 earthquake. Despite the passage of nearly 20 years, he found that many children were still attending makeshift schools—sitting under open skies, on dusty ground, without roofs or walls to shield them from the harsh weather. Some were using wooden planks or stones as benches, and classrooms were often marked only by chalk lines on the ground.

The 2005 earthquake had tragically destroyed over 2,400 schools in the region. While some were rebuilt in the years that followed, countless communities—especially in rural and mountainous areas—continued to struggle without proper educational infrastructure.

Deeply moved by this ongoing crisis, Aslam felt compelled to take action. After returning to the UK, he made a bold and emotional decision: to sell all five of his properties and donate the entire proceeds—worth crores of rupees—to rebuild schools in his native region.

Rather than working alone, Aslam partnered with Muslim Charity, a respected UK-based humanitarian organization, to ensure that the funds were used transparently and effectively. Through this collaboration, the goal was not only to construct buildings but also to restore dignity, hope, and opportunity to thousands of underprivileged children.

35 Modern Schools Rise from the Rubble

Thanks to Aslam’s generous contribution, 35 state-of-the-art schools have now been constructed across the earthquake-affected districts of Bagh, Haveli, Pallandri, Rawalakot, and Muzaffarabad. These new institutions are not temporary shelters—they are fully equipped educational facilities.

Each school is built with an earthquake-resistant design, providing proper classrooms, desks, chairs, ventilation, toilets, and clean drinking water. The schools offer a safe, comfortable, and motivational environment for children who once studied in outdoor classrooms under harsh conditions.

In many of these communities, the new schools represent the first proper educational facility children have ever attended. Local residents have praised Aslam’s sacrifice, with some calling him a hero and others a “father of education” in the region.

A Message of Hope and Humanity

Aslam’s story serves as a powerful reminder of what one individual can achieve with compassion and conviction. By giving up his life’s earnings, he has given thousands of children the priceless gift of education—a legacy that will endure for generations.

In interviews, Aslam has said that he does not regret his decision. He expressed his deep satisfaction at being able to contribute to his homeland in such a meaningful way. “What is the use of wealth,” he remarked, “if it can’t be used to change someone’s future?”

His story is now inspiring others across the UK and Pakistan to support similar educational and humanitarian efforts. It’s a testament to how diaspora communities can make impactful contributions back home.