Development under way: Zakat department releases funds

According to a report issued by the Zakat, Ushr, Social Welfare, and Women Empowerment Department, the reconstitution of the provincial zakat council has been completed. The rates of marriage assistance have been enhanced from Rs10,000 to Rs15,000; mechanism for assessment, collection and disbursement of ushr has been developed; amendments in the K-P Zakat and Ushr Act 2011 are under process; and a complaint cell has been establishment for hearing public complaints. The report further states the names of local zakat committee chairmen have been finalised. The first installment of Rs194.2 million of zakat funds has been released for the year 2013-14 to the personal ledger accounts of district zakat committees. The department has also released Rs13.75 million to provincial level health institutions in K-P.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2014.