About Us
The Association for the Rehabilitation of the Physically Disabled (ARPD) is a Pakistan-based nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals from marginalized and vulnerable communities — with a special focus on persons with disabilities. Founded in 1986 and revitalized in 2015 under the leadership of President Anjum Anwar, ARPD has steadily grown into a dedicated rehabilitation and community empowerment organization serving vulnerable populations across Pakistan. ARPD delivers a wide range of free services — from comprehensive rehabilitation services to inclusive education, vocational training, prosthetics & orthopedic support, outreach disability camps, and humanitarian relief. Every service we provide is rooted in the belief that disability, poverty, or social exclusion should never define a person’s future.
Our Mission
Our mission is to improve the lives of people from underdeveloped and vulnerable communities with a special focus on persons with disabilities. We exist to transform lives and are driven by a commitment to social justice. Our goal is to empower deserving individuals by providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to lead lives of dignity, independence, and inclusion.
Our Vision
At ARPD, our vision is a world where every individual, regardless of their physical abilities or background, enjoys equal opportunities and a life of dignity. Through innovative programs and collaborative efforts, we envision societies where barriers are broken down, obstacles are eliminated, and diversity is embraced. Together, we will build a brighter future, where the potential of every person is realized and inclusivity is the norm.
Our Story
ARPD was originally founded in 1986 by Dr. Farhat Rahman, a pioneer in rehabilitative care in Pakistan. Following her passing in 2005, the organization experienced a period of decline. In 2015, philanthropist and humanitarian Ms. Anjum Anwar assumed leadership with a vision to restore and expand ARPD’s services. Having lived in the United States for over three decades, Ms. Anwar established Helping Hearts, Caring Souls (HHCS) — a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) organization — to raise funds in support of ARPD’s work in Pakistan. Under her stewardship, ARPD was revitalized. Its infrastructure was rehabilitated, programs were expanded, and outreach was deepened across Pakistan. Today, ARPD stands as a beacon of hope — providing free, dignified care and services to thousands of individuals in need every year.
Our Values
Compassion
Centering humanity and empathy in all aspects of service delivery.
Inclusion
Promoting environments where every individual is welcomed, respected, and valued.
Equity
Ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities for all, particularly the underserved.
Integrity
Upholding transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in all operations.
Community Empowerment
Building capacity within communities to support long-term resilience and independence.
Our Programs
Comprehensive Rehabilitation
Occupational, physical, speech, and psychological therapies through a fully equipped rehabilitation facility in Peshawar, serving up to 100 outpatients daily and offering a 50-bed inpatient ward with free accommodation and meals.
Orthopedic Workshop
Custom prosthetics, orthotics, and mobility aids crafted on-site and donated free of charge to individuals in need.
Outreach Disability Camps
Free rehabilitation and medical services delivered directly to underserved rural communities across Pakistan.
Inclusive Education
An inclusive school welcoming children with and without disabilities from marginalized backgrounds, providing free education, uniforms, textbooks, and supplies.
Vocational Training
Skills development for marginalized women — including those with disabilities — in tailoring, cosmetology, and jewelry-making, fostering economic independence.
Community Relief
Food relief, clean water wells, emergency shelter, clothing, financial aid, and disaster response for vulnerable families & communities across Pakistan.
Our Principal Funding Partner
ARPD’s programs are made possible through the generous support of donors channeled through Helping Hearts, Caring Souls (HHCS) — a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 47-4419059) founded by Ms. Anjum Anwar. Under a formal Memorandum of Understanding, HHCS raises and manages charitable donations in the United States and transfers these funds to ARPD for programmatic use in Pakistan. This partnership ensures that every dollar donated through HHCS translates into direct, tangible impact on the ground.
Legal Registration & Accreditation
ARPD is a fully registered and accredited organization, recognized by multiple government and regulatory bodies in Pakistan, including:
- Social Welfare Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) — recognized Non-Profit Organization (NPO)
- Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) — certified for governance, transparency, and accountability
- Economic Affairs Division (EAD) — authorized to receive foreign funding
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Charitable Commission
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Care Commission — registered as an In-Patient Health Care Establishment
- Peshawar Skill Development Council — accredited vocational training provider
- KP Private Schools Regulatory Authority (KP-PSRA) — registered inclusive school
President’s Message
This message is addressed to all compassionate souls, as I firmly believe that compassion is the language of the heart, spoken through acts of kindness. Reflecting on my life’s journey, this sentiment becomes increasingly clear. Having left my beloved Pakistan at a young age and spending over 30 years in the United States, I grew to truly appreciate the opportunities and blessings life had granted me. This awareness of my good fortune has always fueled my empathy for the less fortunate back in Pakistan and driven me to take action. Upon returning to Pakistan, I now serve as the President of ARPD, where I follow in the footsteps of the great humanitarian, Abdul Sattar Edhi. Edhi once shared a profound truth when he said, “People have become educated, but have yet to become human.” It has become my mission to spread this humanity by enhancing the lives of individuals from underdeveloped and marginalized communities. I envision a world where every individual, regardless of their physical abilities or background, enjoys equal opportunities and a life of dignity. I implore you to open your hearts and join us in our mission, for the true measure of a society’s greatness lies not in its wealth, but in the generosity of its people. Together, we can make a difference.
