From Thirst to Hope: Building Kashmir’s Lifeline in Kotli Sohalan

The Beginning of Hope

Alhamdulilah, a stream of mercy has begun to flow through the hills of Azad Kashmir.
In Kotli Sohalan refugee camp, a community long forgotten by the world is finally seeing hope return — in the form of clean, life-giving water.

This is more than a project. It is a story of survival, compassion, and faith.

They walked miles for water.
Every single day.

Among the rugged valleys of Kotli, hidden between the folds of the mountains, lives a community of Kashmir Muhajirs — refugees who fled the violence of Indian-occupied Kashmir seeking safety across the Line of Control.

They arrived here with little more than hope, faith, and memories of a homeland left behind.

A Community’s Daily Struggle

For years, water has been their greatest hardship. Families wake before sunrise, not to prepare for work or school, but to begin their long journey to find water. The task often falls on women and children, carrying heavy containers for miles under the burning sun.

In this harsh terrain, where summer temperatures soar beyond 45°C, a single bucket of water is a lifeline.

Zafar Iqbal, our Project Coordinator for Kotli, knows this struggle personally. He too fled from Indian-occupied Kashmir in the 1990s, carrying the pain of displacement and the weight of survival.

“We travelled miles and miles to get water to our community,” Zafar recalls. “Those with motorbikes managed. But for the poorest — women, children, the elderly — the walk was exhausting and sometimes dangerous.”

These are not stories found in the headlines.
They are the quiet, unspoken stories of resilience that rarely reach beyond the hills of Azad Kashmir.

The Unseen Crisis

Water is life. Yet, for the people of Kotli Sohalan, it has been a daily struggle for survival.

Dry boreholes. Shallow wells that collapse after months. Pumps that fail when electricity cuts out. These are the silent realities of a community forgotten by the world.

As temperatures rise and rainfall becomes unpredictable due to climate change, the crisis has worsened. Illness spreads where water is scarce, sanitation becomes impossible, and mothers are forced to choose between hygiene and hydration.

Children miss school to help fetch water. Families cannot grow vegetables or care for livestock. Dignity itself becomes a luxury.

But Kashmir Welfare Foundation could not — and did not — look away.

A Project Born of Necessity, Compassion, and Faith

This is not just a water project. It is dignity restored.

Thanks to your generous donations, Kashmir Welfare Foundation has begun drilling a deep borehole between 300 to 400 feet below ground — reaching the secure aquifers that previous shallow wells could not access.

To ensure sustainability, a large storage tank is being built to preserve water when electricity is available, so families can draw water throughout the day even when power cuts occur.

This project serves between 20 to 30 families directly and benefits thousands more within a 5-mile radius. Clean, safe water will now flow where there was once only dust and despair.

On the Ground in Kotli Sohalan

Our trustee, Abdul Basit, is currently in Azad Kashmir overseeing the project. Standing beside the drilling team, he shared:

“As Azad Kashmir’s water table decreases, many water sources, including newly installed ones, are drying up. They’re not meeting the community’s needs. We needed a sustainable, urgent solution. Alhamdulilah, through your support, we have started this mega water project that will serve thousands.”

This is not just digging into the earth.
It is digging into our responsibility as an Ummah — to provide for one another, to care, and to uplift our brothers and sisters in hardship.

Support Other Water Projects like this in Azad Kashmir

The Transformative Power of Clean Water

Imagine your child asking for a drink — and there’s none to give.

Imagine walking for hours with an empty container, your feet blistered from heat and stone.

Now imagine turning on a tap in your village, filling that same container with clean, cold water.

That is the difference your Sadaqah and Zakat make.

Water changes everything:

• It reduces waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid.
• It allows girls to attend school instead of fetching water.
• It enables families to cook, clean, and live with dignity.
• It supports small-scale farming and livestock, giving communities a path to self-reliance.

Each drop represents hope, health, and human dignity.

When we give water, we are giving life itself.

Water in Islam: A Gift and a Trust

Water holds deep spiritual meaning in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The best charity is giving water to drink.” (Ahmad)

Providing water is more than an act of charity — it is an act of worship. It is a Sadaqah Jariyah, a continuous charity that brings reward long after we are gone.

Every drop that flows from this well will carry the reward of those who made it possible.

For donors across the UK, this is your opportunity to build a legacy of mercy in Kashmir. The people of Kotli Sohalan will remember your kindness every time they turn on a tap.

Building a Stream of Hope Together

This project in Kotli Sohalan is already underway — but our work does not stop here. Across Azad Kashmir, dozens of other communities face the same struggle. As the water table drops, wells that once gave life are falling silent.

Now is the time to act.

Your continued donations will help us complete this project and begin new ones in the most affected areas. Whether through Zakat, Sadaqah, or Regular Giving, your contribution builds the infrastructure that keeps life flowing.

From the valleys of Kotli to the highlands of Neelum and Bagh, together we are turning despair into hope — one drop at a time.

How You Can Help

You can help complete the Kotli Sohalan water project and bring life to more families across Azad Kashmir.

✅ Donate to build and maintain deep boreholes and storage tanks.
✅ Give Sadaqah Jariyah — your reward will continue as long as water flows.
✅ Support sustainable water solutions through Regular Giving.

This is your chance to be part of something meaningful, something that lasts generations. Donate today to make a difference.

From the mountains of Kashmir to the hearts of those who give, together we are creating a stream of mercy that will never run dry.

Kotli Sohalan Water FAQ

1. Where is Kotli Sohalan?
Kotli Sohalan is a refugee settlement in District Kotli, Azad Kashmir. It is home to Kashmir Muhajirs who fled Indian-occupied Kashmir and now live in makeshift camps with limited resources.

2. Why is clean water such a challenge in Azad Kashmir?
Declining groundwater levels, poor infrastructure, and climate change have made water access extremely difficult. Shallow wells often dry up quickly, leaving families without safe drinking water.

3. How does Kashmir Welfare Foundation ensure sustainability?
We carry out full geological surveys, dig deep boreholes, and build storage systems to ensure reliable, long-term access to water.

4. Can I donate my Zakat to this project?
Yes, Zakat can be given towards water projects as they directly support essential human needs and improve lives in impoverished communities.

5. How much impact does one donation make?
Even a small donation can provide thousands of litres of clean water. Collectively, your donations build wells that serve entire communities for years, Insha’Allah.