The children sheltered by Pakistan Sweet Homes (PSH), a project of Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM), were rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for medical treatment. Some of the kids were also taken to Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi for treatment.

PIMS spokesperson Dr Ayesha Isani said around 185 kids suffering from diarrhea were brought to the hospital’s emergency department at around 10am in the morning. Sixty of them were admitted due to their serious condition while the rest were discharged after preliminary treatment. Ten children were still admitted to the hospital when this report was filed on Sunday evening.

The spokesperson confirmed that the children fell ill as a result of food poisoning. “About 60 per cent suffered from food poisoning but there condition is now stable,” she told the media on Sunday afternoon.

PSH Patron-in-Chief Zamurd Khan told said the children were served bread and milk for breakfast and said they were investigating the issue behind the mass sickness.

PBM Managing Director Barrister Abid Waheed Sheikh said there were around 400 children at the orphanage. “Children who had no symptoms of food poisoning were also taken to Pims and the Holy Family Hospital for a checkup,” he said.