Corrupting charity: Inquiry into Astore Zakat dept ordered

Inquiry committee constituted to look into allegations of corruption in the Zakat Department in Astore District.

An inquiry committee has been constituted to look into allegations of corruption in the Zakat Department in Astore District and strict actions will be taken against those involved. This was stated by Member Legislative Assembly and Treasury Secretary Abdul Hameed Khan while talking to APP on Monday. He said he had directed the committee head to submit the report as soon as possible.

On Friday, regional Minister for Zakat and Health Haji Gulbar told The Express Tribune, that the chairpersons of Diamer and Astore districts’ Zakat Departments were guilty of embezzlement in their respective departments. “Audit reports have revealed that the Diamer District Chairman has embezzled over Rs2 million while complaints against the Astore Chairman have also been on the rise.”

“The Diamer Zakat chairman first looted 1.4 million but then 0.7 million,” said the JUI-F MP. The chairman Zakat admitted committing misappropriation and, “He has talked to the chief secretary and sought time to return the embezzled money.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2011.