Zakat handouts bring relief to Pindi households

Up to 10,000 deserving Zakat beneficiaries across the Rawalpindi district received on Tuesday the financial assistance of Rs24,000, inclusive of arrears, per family after a lapse of 19 months or so.

The District Zakat Council has disbursed financial aid to widows, low-income households, and individuals living below the poverty line. In addition, Eid gifts for both Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha were distributed alongside the cash assistance.

On Tuesday, the full amount was transferred via JazzCash to all eligible recipients, including widowed women.

Furthermore, the fines of ordinary prisoners at Adiala Jail — those who have completed their sentences but remain incarcerated due to an inability to pay their fines — are also scheduled to be paid today (Wednesday). Jail authorities have been requested to provide a list of such individuals.

The cost of JazzCash transactions has been covered by the District Zakat Council, ensuring that each recipient receives the full sum of Rs24,000 in cash. While the majority of beneficiaries have begun receiving their payments, minor delays of a few hours may occur due to network congestion and technical glitches. The Council, however, expects all disbursements to be completed by Wednesday (today).

Numerous beneficiaries have already confirmed receipt of the funds. The District Zakat Officer has advised that any eligible person who doesn't receive the payment within the next 15 hours may approach the Council office for assistance.

Funds for dowry support and scholarships for deserving students — both male and female — are expected to be released next month, with the application review process already underway.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Provincial Parliamentary Secretary for the Zakat Council, MPA Malik Iftikhar, announced that this year the Council would also cover fines — up to Rs50,000 — for eligible prisoners who have served their sentences but remain in custody solely due to unpaid fines.

"This initiative has already commenced in Adiala Jail, as well as in the Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal district jails," he said, and clarified that this financial relief would not be extended to habitual offenders or individuals convicted of murder, robbery, or terrorism-related offences.