ZABA Foundation

ZABA stands for Zarmina Almas Bashir Akhtar — named after our four grandparents whose lives embodied generosity, service, and opportunity for others

Why We Exist

Families in low-income areas of Pakistan often cannot afford eye exams or glasses.

Without intervention, students struggle academically and socially. The ZABA Foundation bridges this gap.

Our Legacy

ZABA continues a legacy shaped by two remarkable figures in Pakistan’s history of philanthropy:

Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon Graham Layton (1917-1999)

British-Pakistani Army officer, and philanthropist. He co-founded the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT) in 1984. Layton’s dedication to philanthropy earned him numerous honours and accolades, including the Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam in 1990 and a CBE in 1994

Zaka Rahmatulla (1919-1989)

A successful businessman and philanthropist who co-founded the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT) in 1984 alongside Graham Layton. Motivated by his own experience of losing sight in one eye, Rahmatulla was dedicated to providing free eye care for the underprivileged in Pakistan

OUR FUTURE

OUR FUTURE

To provide as many pairs of glasses as possible to children and communities across Pakistan, ensuring that no student’s education or future opportunities are held back by something as preventable as poor vision