Zakat beneficiaries left in lurch ahead of Eid

Four DZCs in Pindi division have yet to receive funds from the Punjab government

RAWALPINDI:

Around 19,000 poor families may not be able to receive the Eidul Fitr gift package from the four District Zakat Committees (DZCs) in the Rawalpindi division owing to the paucity of public funds as the Punjab government and the relevant authority have yet to release funds.

Officials claim that a severe economic and financial crisis is preventing the government from releasing funds for the destitute. Officials of DACs have started advising beneficiaries to wait till Eid.

Since 1980, Eid gifts ranging from Rs10,000 to Rs12,000 are distributed among eligible Zakat recipients in Punjab in the last 10 days of Ramazan every year. This amount includes the quarterly instalment of Rs9,000 and an Eid gift of Rs3,000.

Each year, from the 20th to the 25th of Ramazan, financial assistance in the form of Eid gifts is distributed among all eligible poor families, orphans, widows, and divorced women through Easy Paisa. These families rely on state funds to celebrate the colours of Eid.

The DZCs sent letters to both the Punjab government and the competent authority on the 1st of Ramazan, requesting financial assistance, however, they have not received any response yet. Furthermore, no meetings have been scheduled for the local Zakat Committees and DZCs regarding the provision of Eid gift financial assistance.

Sources in the District Zakat Council (DZC) Rawalpindi confirmed that there is no information available regarding the Eid package for Zakat beneficiaries. There is complete silence as even the letters and reminders sent for funds have not received any response yet, they added. The sources further added that if the funds are received today, the majority of the beneficiaries will receive gifts after Eid.

Hundreds of widows, orphans, and deserving families are forced to leave the Zakat Council office without cash every day. They are seen lamenting the government for ignoring their miseries and depriving them of Eid celebrations.

The widow and mother of five, Ayesha Begum says the delight of Eid has always been amplified by the tradition of receiving Eid gifts each year, however, this year her hope has been shattered.

Ayesha and several other women have been frequently visiting the Zakat Council office since the beginning of Ramazan, but return empty-handed with a glimmer of hope. They have urged the Punjab chief minister to promptly disburse the financial assistance from the Zakat Fund.

Office-bearers yet to be appointed

Separately, the chairmen and members of the District Zakat Committees in 43 districts across Punjab have not been appointed yet. The Rawalpindi district alone has 1,166 local zakat committees, while each district in the province has between 750 to 1,400 local zakat committees at the union council level. However, the chairmen and members of these local zakat committees have not been appointed.

The organisational structure at the division, district, tehsil and local union council levels is currently in limbo. At the district level, Deputy Commissioner Administrators and Local Zakat Committees are run by the government officers of grade 16 as Administrators.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2024.