PESHAWAR: The Emergency Response Unit (ERU) on Saturday released Rs. 9 lakh to the Khpal Kor Foundation, a well-know trust of Swat district where orphans used to live, for paying salaries to the orphanage staff.

According to a ERU handout issued here on Saturday, the Khpal Kor Foundation had shifted its staff and orphans to Peshawar after the army began operation against miscreants in Malakand division. The government has already converted the Government Girls High School, Abdara Road, University Town into IDPs camp where the staff and orphans were given accommodation.

Provincial Relief Commissioner and ERU Incharge Muhammad Azam Khan has released the fund, which was received by Director of Khpal Kor Foundation Muhammad Ali.

This orphanage center was established in 1996 for the welfare and education of the orphan and helpless children of Swat district. In the beginning, five orphan children were admitted in orphanage. Later on their number was increased to 24 children. They were provided with all kinds of possible facilities.

Meanwhile, the ERU has clarified that no one can adopt IDP children of Malakand division, who have been displaced in the current army operation against the miscreants. All the NGOs and individuals have been warned against adoption of IDP children as no child adoption law exists in the region.

The government of NWFP is responsible to look after all the orphans according to the law. The ERU has directed all the concerned to approach the Social Welfare Department in case they have adopted the orphans or have the intention to do this in future. Public has also been asked to alert the department if any cases of adoption have occurred. Strict action will be taken against individuals or NGOs if they are found violating the instructions in this regard.