Dear HOPE Friends,
​
We are aware of the recent accusations that have been levied against HOPE Pakistan founder, Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla. As a team, we are compelled to clarify HOPE USA's status as well as provide accurate information regarding the situation.
​
HOPE USA is an independent, IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the United States. We have our own governing board and make all strategic, financial, and operational decisions independently. HOPE USA is not legally or administratively affiliated with HOPE Pakistan, and we do not share funding, leadership, or decision-making structures.
​
We understand that in international charitable work, questions of affiliation can arise, but we want to be clear: HOPE USA operates solely under US nonprofit law and financial oversight, and our work and resources remain fully independent.
​
Regarding the recent charges against Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla, founder of HOPE Pakistan, we felt it was appropriate to issue a statement clarifying matters as media reports can often be sensationalized and put forth as fact without due process being given to the innocently accused. Our entire team stands firm that the charges that have been levied against Dr. Mubina by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) - serious accusations involving human trafficking related to child adoptions facilitated between 2006 and 2015 - are meritless and unsupported by any evidence.
​
For nearly three decades, HOPE has provided poverty alleviation services to over one million people annually across Pakistan, with an emphasis on Healthcare, Education, Vocational Training, Clean Water, Food Security, and Disaster Relief. Adoption has never been a core focus of HOPE’s work, but when abandoned children were brought to our facilities, steps were taken to ensure their safety and care - always within the bounds of the law. In a handful of instances during the above-mentioned timeframe, vulnerable infants were abandoned at HOPE facilities with the hope that the organization would step in to protect and do the best to support these children. As such, after requisite legal procedures were followed - including approvals from local Pakistani courts and the granting of visas by the US Embassy - these abandoned children were placed into loving adoptive families who had been thoroughly vetted. Neither HOPE nor its Chairperson benefitted financially from these adoptions. At no point was any monetary consideration exchanged that could be deemed to confer a financial benefit upon HOPE. Furthermore, no objections were raised by any governing bodies which oversaw and approved the adoptions at the time.
​
Charges have now been filed years later, despite the fact that all actions were taken in full compliance with the applicable laws and procedures in place at that time.
​
As a team, we stand in solidarity with Dr. Mubina in light of the heinous charges that have been brought against her. Over the course of 28 years, through HOPE, she has single-handedly used determination and vision to bring life and hope into inner city neighborhoods, remote, mountaintop regions, and rural village areas that have historically been neglected. She and HOPE have been staunch champions of downtrodden women, children, orphans, and widows. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the allegations are unsubstantiated and lack merit, we have to follow due processes in order to reinstate her innocence as all human trafficking charges are heavily scrutinized.
​
With God's will, HOPE's work will continue and Dr. Mubina's innocence will be proven without further delay. We thank our loyal supporters who we trust will not rush to judgements after reading sensationalized media reports, but will use their critical thinking skills to carefully assess the history of the organization and the facts at hand. During this time, we request your prayers and support that justice will prevail. The organization remains fully operational. Legal proceedings are underway, and HOPE will continue to serve the people of Pakistan without interruption.
​
Warm regards,
​
The HOPE USA Team
​
​