Punjab government did not disburse Zakat fund since July 2009: NNA body told

Punjab government could not disburse Zakat fund to the poor and needy people for the last three years while Federal Ministry for Zakat and Ushr released Rs 1.21 billion in July, 2009 for this purpose. The Ministry of Zakat and Ushr on Tuesday told National Assembly standing committee on Zakat and Ushr that these funds had been released for Guzara Allowance, assistance to unmarried women in education and health sectors.
The committee was told that the ministry had extended these funds twice, but the provincial Zakat council could not distribute it among the poor because it could not complete formation process of district zakat committees and local zakat committees.
"The ministry once again has extended these funds till December 31, 2010. If Punjab government could not disburse these funds among the poor during this period then it has to surrender these funds," Secretary to the Ministry of Zakat and Ushr told the committee.
The committee met with Sheraz Mehmood in the chair at Parliament House. Abdul Ghani Talpur, Shaheen Ishfaq, Laiq Muhammad Khan and others attended the meeting. Sheraz Mehmood took serious notice of non-disbursement of Zakat fund among the needy people and said that almost three years have passed but the new democratic government could not disburse Zakat funds among the poor and needy people. "It is shameful and failure on the part of the government," he added.
He constituted a subcommittee under the convenership of Laiq Ahmed Khan, comprising MNAs Qudsia Arshad and Shaheen Ishfaq, to probe the matter. The committee also directed the Central Zakat Council to provide a detailed report in writing about funds which have been released to other provinces and amount of funds that have been released during the previous years.
Secretary, Provincial Ministry of Zakat and Ushr, told the committee that 24,421 Local Zakat Committees have been constituted so far. He explained various reasons of delaying the formation of committees including local disputes among the parties, pending appeals and cases against new committees and disaster in flood affected areas.
He said that Provincial Zakat council had released these funds to District Zakat Committees. He said that Rs 181.395 million had been released to the District Zakat Committees on the basis of population, for education. Joint Secretary of the Ministry told the committee that Rs 1.15 billion had been released for flood affected areas. This amount would be disbursed through Watan Cards.
The committee also showed concern over the criteria of election of Local Zakat Committees, Punjab, which is contrary to the letter and spirit of the existing rules and regulations. The chairman of the committee claimed that some people who are criminal and FIRs have been lodged against them have also become members of the committees. He said that in this regard he would present proof. On this the Secretary of Provincial government said that if anybody would present evidence against members of the committees, he would take action and de-notify such members.