Responsibility: Don’t give Zakat to suicide bombers’ institutions, says Pervez Rashid

Says funds should go to organisations striving for saving lives

LAHORE: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid has urged people to pay their Zakat and Sadqat (charity) to institutions which save lives and not those that produce suicide bombers.

Addressing a ceremony to commemorate 18th foundation day of the Sundas Foundation on Sunday, he said while giving Zakat in Ramazan, it was imperative for the people to ensure that the same was given to those who spend it on purchasing medicine rather than making suicide jackets and spreading hate and extremism.

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"Knowledge spreads love and brotherhood and the institutions, which preach the lessons of prejudice, massacres and suicide jackets in the name of knowledge do not deserve any charity," he said. "In today's Pakistan, it is necessary to determine that our charity does not go into the wrong hands otherwise we will have to be answerable before the Almighty,” he added.

The minister said that the services of institutions like Sundas Foundation were commendable as these had been working to save life and not to destroy it.

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Earlier, the minister visited different wards of the Sundas Foundation and inquired after the children suffering from thalassemia, haemophilia and blood cancer. He also distributed flowers, gifts and medicines among the patients.

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