ISLAMABAD: The Chinese embassy on Saturday handed over LEDs, school and sports equipment Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) for 38 Pakistan Sweet Homes (PSH) children.

Moreover, PBM has requested the embassy to also provide equipment to special children so that they could participate in the development of the country.

According to a statement, issued by the PBM, Chinese Economic and Commercial Counsellor in Pakistan Wang Zhihua, Second Secretary Chinese Embassy in Pakistan Li Wenqing, Chairman All Pakistan Chinese Enterprises Association Li Zhihuai and others visited PSH to hand over the equipment.

The list of the equipment, available with Dawn, includes 39 LEDs (50 inches each), 1,170 school bags, 780 cricket bats, 3,120 tennis balls, 1,170 pencil packets, 1,170 colour pencil packets, 2,730 sharpeners and 2,730 erasers.

In a welcome address, Managing Director Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) Aon Abbas Buppi informed the Chinese delegation about the ongoing pro-poor activities of the organisation in the field of healthcare, education and rehabilitation.

The delegation was also briefed that PBM was running 38 sweet homes where around 4,000 children are being provided accommodation, food, clothing, education and all other basic necessities of life free of charge.

MD PBM also expressed his passion to achieve the target of enrolling 10,000 more children by operationalizing additional sweet homes within least time period, as envisioned by the prime minister.

While acknowledging the support of Chinese delegation, Mr Buppi expressed the hope for the long term partnership to support the deprived populace under corporate social responsibility.

Economic and Commercial Counsellor of China in Pakistan highlighted the cordial relations of Pakistan and China.

During the ceremony Syed Umair Ali, focal person of PBM for Chinese, welcomed Chinese companies to work for social protection projects for Pakistan Baitul Mal.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2019