LAHORE: The Punjab Zakat and Ushr Council has announced a major overhaul of its welfare initiatives, with the wedding grant for deserving families being halved from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 50,000.
In a major setback for many, the department failed to distribute Eid-ul-Fitr zakat assistance this year. Authorities have promised that Eid gifts will be provided to registered recipients before Eid-ul-Adha.
The council, headed by Rana Munawar Hussain, also approved the provision of electronic motorbikes and scooters to students from zakat-deserving families. A sub-committee has been formed to finalize the details and allocate the necessary funds.
However, serious concerns were raised about the department’s performance. Local zakat committees across the province remain clueless, subsistence allowances and scholarships have not been distributed for over 13 months, and assistance to blind people and leprosy patients has been suspended.
Government hospitals, without Zakat support, have stopped providing free treatment, surgery and dialysis – sadly, many low-income patients have died.
Despite these issues, the council approved immediate distribution of Zakat at the provincial level for education and healthcare, with increased funding under the Taalem al-Quloob program.
Furthermore, the distribution of subsistence allowances through local committees was agreed upon before Eid al-Adha, while the terms of employment for department staff have been referred to a subcommittee for further review.
Chairman Rana Munawar Hussain reiterated that in future, Zakat distribution will be done through Jazz Cash and Jazz Wallet, ensuring merit and transparency.
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