Between Two Rivers: How an NGO in Muzaffargarh Can Support Your Family

Muzaffargarh lies on a long strip of land between the Chenab to the east and the Indus to the west, and the two rivers meet near its southern tip at Panjnad. The soil is fertile and the mangoes are sweet, but the district is also one of the most flood-exposed places in Punjab. In many monsoon seasons some of its villages go under water, and families in Alipur, Jatoi, Kot Addu and the city itself often search for an NGO in Muzaffargarh to help them get back on their feet.

Volunteers run PHWO (Peace and Humanity Welfare Organization); it ignores sect and caste, replies to families from any district, and does not charge. Across Muzaffargarh district there is no PHWO office, relief camp or employee. Its only office is in Larkana, Sindh. People here reach it online, through Message PHWO in a free PHWO account, or by email to info@phwo.org .

Five million people, mostly in villages

The 2023 Census counted 5,015,325 people in Muzaffargarh District, more than live in many of Pakistan’s big cities. Yet only about 19% of them live in towns. Its tehsils include Muzaffargarh (about 1.9 million people), Kot Addu (about 1.07 million), Alipur and Jatoi. Saraiki is the mother tongue of roughly 89% of residents.

Most people farm (wheat, cotton, sugarcane and mangoes), keep livestock or work as labourers. Kot Addu has a large power plant, but most jobs in the district are on the land. Much of that land is farmed by tenants and sharecroppers rather than owners, and many families move seasonally for cotton picking or wheat harvesting, which leaves children out of school for weeks at a time.

Floods from both sides

In August 2025 the Indus flooded low-lying areas of Jatoi and Alipur tehsils. Dawn reported that settlements were inundated, crops ruined and a bund breached in Muzaffargarh, with locals trying to repair it themselves (Dawn). Days later, as the Chenab flood came south, Muzaffargarh and Alipur were among the towns being evacuated (Dawn).

Families hurt by either river can list the damage in a request and attach pictures. The government’s own compensation surveys go through the Muzaffargarh DC office and PDMA Punjab, so register there too.

What families in Muzaffargarh most often need

• Ration after a crop or a daily wage is lost.
• Medical costs, including treatment in Multan’s hospitals.
• Rebuilding a mud house or replacing livestock after a flood.
• Debt, often owed to a shopkeeper, landlord or arhti.
• School fees and a laptop for a student.

Any of these can be requested on the Request help page. Add a live photo of yourself, and explain your need in Saraiki, Urdu or Punjabi. Volunteers verify each request and assess it. Where a verified need can be met, help is arranged. No outcome or time is promised, and nothing is ever charged.

Free legal aid in Muzaffargarh

Local cases begin in Muzaffargarh city or at the Alipur, Jatoi and Kot Addu courts, and an appeal means a trip to the high court bench in Multan. Land that the river swallows or throws up, inheritance, tenancy, family disputes and false complaints fill much of the local caseload.

Write to PHWO’s volunteer advocates through free legal aid. There is no FIR precondition. Custody cases and hearings within days are dealt with first. An advocate can act for you only if one has time, so representation is never certain.

Public services in Muzaffargarh

For state help, go first to District Headquarters Hospital Muzaffargarh or the THQ hospital in Alipur, Jatoi or Kot Addu; complicated cases are sent on to Nishtar Hospital in Multan. Rescue 1122 runs boats in the floods and answers road crashes and fires. To reach police, dial 15; women at risk can call 1043. Kafaalat is paid through the BISP tehsil offices, the District Zakat Committee Muzaffargarh handles government Zakat, and the District Bar Association Muzaffargarh can help you find an advocate.

Women in the river villages

When men migrate for work or a husband dies, women in Muzaffargarh’s villages often carry the whole household. Many work in the fields for a share of the crop or a small wage. A woman can apply to PHWO in her own name for ration, medicine, school fees for her children, or help to restart a livelihood such as goats or tailoring. PHWO’s programmes include women’s empowerment and vocational skills. Every request is verified and assessed.

Donate or volunteer for Muzaffargarh

Anyone wanting to help families between the two rivers can send money or goods through Donate, from Pakistan or from overseas. PHWO passes on every rupee of Zakat and Sadaqah to eligible families. The Zakat calculator sorts out your figure, and Sponsor a case ties your support to one checked household, perhaps a flood family from Jatoi or Alipur.

Volunteers are needed as much as donors, especially advocates in Pakistan and fundraisers everywhere. Lawyers from the Muzaffargarh, Alipur, Jatoi or Kot Addu courts can sign up on the volunteer page; a certificate, a letter of appreciation and an experience letter recognise each volunteer’s work.

Rishta Desk

The Rishta Desk serves Muzaffargarh families of every religion at no charge. Profiles are checked with a live selfie and reviewed by PHWO staff. Families choose for themselves, and no match can be promised.

Public services in Muzaffargarh you can also use

• District Headquarters Hospital MuzaffargarhPublic hospital
• Nishtar Hospital MultanTeaching hospital for referrals
• Rescue 1122Emergency and flood rescue
• District Administration MuzaffargarhDeputy Commissioner's office
• PDMA PunjabProvincial disaster management
• Zakat and Ushr Department PunjabDistrict Zakat Committee
• Lahore High CourtAppeals (Multan Bench)

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

Frequently asked questions