RASTI Pakistan

We are pleased to share a newspaper highlight covering yesterday’s important activity conducted in coordination with the District Administration. The MoU Signing Ceremony was successfully held with relevant stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the project’s impact.
The event took place under the supervision of the worthy Deputy Commissioner, reflecting a strong commitment from all departments towards continued collaboration and long-term change.

Today is the last day of our project, "School Instead of Exploitative Work" a Coal Mine Child Labor Project implemented in Chakwal (August 2014– April 2026). What a journey it has been—tough, challenging, but incredibly rewarding.

From Mujahid Sahib to Itrat Batool, Rehan Gill, Hasham, Zeeshan, Aamir, Rabia, Shaista, Adnan, Zoya, Naeem, Haji Zafar, Sajad, Atif, Imran, and every single person who contributed: you have been amazing.

This project gave us wonderful opportunities, remarkable achievements, great exposure, and most importantly, lifelong friendships and relations.

Special thanks to Francis Rufi Sardar and Sayed Mujahid Hussain Sherazi for their great leadership.

A heartfelt vote of thanks to Kindernothilfe E.V. (KNH) Pakistan for their long-standing partnership, trust, and unwavering support. Without them, this journey would not have been possible. Thank you for standing with us and with the children of Chakwal for over a decade.

The project ends today, but RASTI Pakistan is still here—our Chakwal office remains open and functional, and our spirit remains unshaken. We will continue to serve and bring new work.

Best wishes to all of you for your future.

Love for all. ❤️

RASTI Pakistan Alipur, Muzaffargarh Team Pays Tribute to Our Founder

Today, on the 10th death anniversary of our beloved founder, Sir Francis Rufi Sardar, the RASTI team in Alipur, Muzaffargarh held a heartfelt condolence ceremony.

Team members gathered to remember his vision, his kindness, and his unwavering commitment to humanity. Prayers were offered, memories were shared, and candles were lit in honor of the man who gave us all a mission to serve.

Sir Francis Rufi Sardar may have left us 10 years ago, but his light continues to shine through every act of service we perform.

You are missed. You are remembered. You are forever alive in our hearts.

Today, we observe the 10th death anniversary of the Founder of RASTI — our respected teacher, mentor, facilitator, trainer, and a remarkable social worker whose vision and dedication continue to guide us.

His was not just a voice — it was a movement. He believed in a world where no human would be forced into exploitation, where every soul would have the right to dignity, opportunity, and hope. He walked the hardest paths, stood with the most marginalized, and inspired a generation of social workers to rise and serve humanity.

Today, RASTI stands tall because he once knelt to lift others.

On this solemn yet inspiring day, let us not only remember him with tears — but honor him with action. Let us renew our commitment to the mission he started: to protect the vulnerable, uplift communities, serve humanity, and never turn away from those in need.

His body may have left us, but his spirit lives in every life we touched, every family we supported, and every team member who continues the fight for a better world.

We will keep his legacy alive. We will not stop. We will not forget.

With deepest respect and gratitude —
Team RASTI
Still standing. Still serving. Still inspired.

An MoU signing ceremony was held today at the DC Office Chakwal under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Ms. Sarah Hayat. RASTI, in collaboration with the German organization K-N-H, signed MoUs with key stakeholders, with Ms. Itrat Batool (Project Manager) representing RASTI.

Representatives from Social Welfare, Mines & Minerals, Education, Vocational Training Institutes (VTIs), and civil society organizations participated, reflecting a shared commitment to collaboration and sustainability.

The event marked the successful completion of the project “School Instead of Exploitative Work” (2014–2025), which supported the protection, education, and rehabilitation of children engaged in hazardous child labor in coal mines.

RASTI organized a two-day workshop on Sustainable Strategy Development under the project “School Instead of Exploitative Work.”

The workshop aimed to develop a sustainable strategy to ensure the long-term impact of the project. It brought together key stakeholders and representatives from different departments including Social Welfare, Education, Health, Mines & Minerals, Trade Unions, Children Forums, and CBOs.

Through interactive discussions and collaborative planning, participants shared valuable insights and commitments to strengthen efforts for protecting children from exploitative labor and promoting access to education.

The 4th Consultation Meeting was conducted under the Neutral Coast Extension Phase of the Project "School Instead of Exploitative Work" with members of the District Press Club to discuss the role of media in sustaining the project’s impact. The session focused on how media can collaborate with concerned stakeholders to promote awareness, advocacy, and long-term sustainability of project outcomes through responsible reporting and continuous public engagement to sustain the project impact in coal mine sector.

The 3rd Consultation Meeting was held with the CF Captain and NCRC CAP Members, involving children and their parents. The session focused on orientation regarding the Neutral Coast Extension (NCE) and explored sustainable approaches to ensure long-term project impact and community ownership.