Pakistan Govt releases Rs 5.029 billion 'zakat'
Pakistan Times National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The government has released zakat amounting to Rs.5.029 billion to the four provinces, northern areas and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) for disbursement among the poor and needy from zakat fund during the year.

According to Secretary Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr, Vakil Ahmed Khan here on Monday, Rs.2.172 billion were released as guzara allowance to Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, NWFP, Northern Areas and ICT under the regular zakat programme.

He informed that Rs.651.87 million were released for onward distribution as educational stipends.
Another amount of Rs.289.72 million were given as stipends to students of deeni madaris (religious institutions) from the zakat fund.

Vakil said that Rs.217.29 million were released for treatment of poor patients at government hospitals.
He said Rs.144.85 million were released for social welfare while Rs.150 million were given for marriage assistance to unmarried women.

Under other zakat programme, he said an additional amount of Rs.352.75 million were released for health care and Rs.11.31 million as grant to model deeni madaris set up in various cities.

The Secretary said that Rs.210 million as Eid grant were released for onward distribution among poor on the eve of Eid.He said Rs.0.750 million were released for treatment of leprosy patients from zakat fund.
Under special zakat programme, he said, Rs.828.04 million were released as educational stipends for training of poor students at technical institutions.●