Zakat and Ushr: ‘Over Rs3 billion distributed among 500,000 people’

Minister says funds allocated in a myriad of forms

LAHORE: Zakat and Ushr Minister Nadeem Kamran told newsmen on Sunday that over Rs3 billion had been distributed among 500,000 people from underprivileged backgrounds.

He said the funds had been allocated in the form of subsistence allowances, public health, education and religious facilities, marriage, Ramazan and Eid grants. He said the department had provided Ramazan and Eid grants to over 100,000 people twice in the holy month.

Kamran called on philanthropists to contribute towards the cause and complement the government’s efforts for the welfare of the disadvantaged. He said all funds had been transferred on a quarterly basis to beneficiaries by cellular services in a transparent manner. The minister said a Rs1,000 monthly subsistence allowance had been provided to over 100,000 widows, the differently abled, the visually impaired and the aged.

He said scholarships to the tune of Rs80 million had been awarded to over 20,000 students. Kamran said over Rs1 billion had been allocated for the promotion of vocational training. He said over 32,000 students had been imparted vocational training to secure their livelihoods.

The minister said the value of marriage grants had been raised to Rs20,000 from Rs10,000. He said the move had benefited over 4,000 families. Kamran said Rs310 million had been allocated for the free treatment of underprivileged citizens at public health facilities and select private hospitals.

He said Rs200,000 was being provided to students who had undergone vocational training to help them start their own businesses under the Chief Minister’s Apna Rozgar Scheme.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2015.