Apples, Almonds and Coal Dust: How an NGO in Loralai Can Hear You

Loralai is a highland town in north-eastern Balochistan, set among orchards of apples, almonds and apricots, with the Sulaiman ranges rising around it. It is a divisional headquarters, with a university, colleges and a busy bazaar serving surrounding valleys. Yet for many families, income is thin and uncertain: a small orchard, a flock of sheep, work in the coal mines of the region, or a son labouring in Karachi. People searching for an NGO in Loralai often need food for the month, help with a loan, fees for a student, or medical costs.

You can write to Peace and Humanity Welfare Organization (PHWO) from Loralai at any time. Understand, though, that PHWO has no premises or people there; the whole organisation is run from one office in Larkana, Sindh. Requests come in through the website, calls and volunteers, free of charge. Each is looked into by volunteers. Support is arranged when the need checks out and can be met, and no one is told in advance what they will receive.

Loralai's people in the census

The 2023 Census counted 272,432 people in Loralai District on 3,785 square kilometres, nearly 22 percent of them in towns, in homes of 7.1 people on average (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics census results, Balochistan). Duki, once part of Loralai, is now counted as its own district. Pashto is the main household language (census language table).

A fifth of residents in town and four-fifths in villages means that most families still rely on land, animals and seasonal work.

Orchards that depend on water

Loralai’s fruit is prized, but orchards need water from tubewells, karez and springs. Groundwater has been falling across upland Balochistan for years, and pumping costs money for electricity or diesel. A dry winter, a late frost or a hailstorm at blossom time can destroy a year’s income. Small growers often sell their crop in advance to traders, and a bad harvest leaves them owing.

If that is your situation, describe it in Request help: what you grow, what was lost, what you owe and to whom. You can request flour and household needs, treatment, fees, rent or help with the debt.

Mining work and its toll

Coal mines in the region employ many men from Loralai and further afield. The work is hard and dangerous: accidents, gas explosions and lung disease have taken a heavy toll on miners over the years. When a miner is killed or injured, his family may receive little and wait long.

Families of injured or deceased miners can apply to PHWO. Attach whatever papers exist, such as a hospital report, a death certificate or a letter from the mine. If compensation is owed but not paid, you can also ask for advice through Free legal aid.

Widows of miners often carry the heaviest load: young children, no land, and debts left from the funeral and the months without wages. If you are in this position, say so clearly. A relative or neighbour may help you fill in the form, but please give your own name and a number where you can be reached.

Students and young people

Loralai’s university and colleges draw students from the whole division. Many come from poor families and struggle with fees, hostel costs and books. A student without a laptop falls behind in coursework and misses chances to earn online.

A laptop or phone for study is one of the things PHWO is most often asked for. Attach your admission letter or student card. You may also ask about digital skills, vocational courses and women’s empowerment training in Programmes.

Applying from Loralai: what to prepare

1. A live photo of the applicant.
2. A short explanation, in Pashto or Urdu, of the household and the need.
3. Any papers that show the problem: prescriptions, fee vouchers, loan notes, mine or hospital letters.
4. A phone number that will be answered.

Send everything through the form or by messaging PHWO from a free PHWO account. PHWO never asks for money, and a person asking you for a payment in its name does not represent it.

Courts and legal advice

Loralai’s district and sessions courts hear civil, criminal and family matters, with appeals to the High Court of Balochistan. Land, water and inheritance disputes are frequent in orchard country; haq mehr, maintenance, khula and custody fill the family courts as well.

Volunteer advocates in Free legal aid read what you send and tell you what the law allows. You can ask without having registered an FIR. Children’s cases and urgent dates are handled first. Court representation by a volunteer may not be possible and is never promised. The Loralai bar association is another place to ask for help.

Public services in Loralai

• Loralai’s divisional headquarters hospital, with referrals to Quetta for complex treatment.
• Dial 15 for the police.
• For BISP, an SMS of the CNIC to 8171 tells a woman whether she is enrolled; details on bisp.gov.pk.
• Hail, flood or drought damage can be reported to the provincial disaster authority (pdma.gob.pk).
• Mines, labour and agriculture departments can be traced through balochistan.gov.pk.

Giving and volunteering

Orchard owners, traders and Loralai families in Quetta, Karachi or abroad can Donate money or goods, or take responsibility for one verified family through Sponsor a case. Zakat and Sadaqah are delivered in full to people who need them. University students, lawyers and overseas fundraisers can join as a Volunteer and will receive a certificate, a letter of appreciation and an experience letter.

Public services in Loralai you can also use

• District and Sessions Courts LoralaiCivil, criminal and family cases
• District Bar Association LoralaiReferral to advocates
• District Headquarters Hospital LoralaiGovernment hospital
• PoliceDial 15
• BISP office LoralaiSMS CNIC to 8171
• PDMA BalochistanDisaster relief
• Government of BalochistanProvincial departments

These are public or independent services, listed to help you. They are not part of PHWO.

Frequently asked questions