ISLAMABAD, April 9: The expenses of more than 700 orphans adopted by the Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) for its Sweet Homes project would be borne by philanthropists.

This was stated by PBM Managing Director Zamarud Khan while talking to Dawn here on Saturday.

He said to fulfil legal requirements agreements had been signed with the philanthropists according to which they would sponsor all the children’s education and other living expenses for 14 years, until they were graduated.

During this period, the orphans, however, will not be given to individual or organisation for adoption, said the PBM Managing Director Zamarud Khan.

After graduation, they will themselves decide their future, he said adding it will be up to them to go for adoption, live independent life or stay with their relatives.

He said in all 1,500 orphans aging between four to six years had been adopted by the PBM for their Sweet Homes set up under social safety net in different cities but so far 750 children had been sponsored by the philanthropists Donors have been showing keen interest in sponsoring these children, he said adding that funding would not be a problem for bringing up these orphans.

He said most of the fathers or both parents of these orphans had been killed in bomb blasts and they had been kept in Sweet Homes where they were provided home-like facilities. These children have been admitted to the best educational institutions in different cities throughout the country.

Keeping in view the success and significance of the project, President Asif Ali Zardari has directed that Sweet Homes should be set up in every district, Mr Khan said.

The president has assured all out ‘personal’ cooperation in this regard, he added. It is a 14-year programme through which the orphans will be imparted the best possible education to bring them to mainstream of the society and make them important citizens of the country, he said.

He said that Baitul Mal was a welfare institution and such orphans, poor and helpless people have the first right over its resources.

The Sweet Homes have been established in different cities depending on the number of the orphans, the PBM chief said. “Now, on the directive of the president, we have planned to establish orphanage in every city,” Mr Khan added.