KARACHI:
The Zakat department has replaced National Database and Regulation Authority (NADRA) with the Sindh Bank for an efficient disbursement of the Zakat fund.
A joint mechanism has been agreed upon by the Sindh Zakat department and the bank for distribution among as many as 85,000 beneficiaries free of charge. The initiative is a result of the reports of massive discrepancies in distributing Zakat among ‘mustehqeen’ (deserving people).
The Sindh Bank will supply ATM cards to all beneficiaries so that they can conveniently draw their guzara allowance installments from any bank branch.
This was decided during a high-level meeting presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, which was held to come up with a strategy for flawless distribution of the Zakat fund among deserving beneficiaries at the Chief Minister House.
Shah said that the government has already launched different income support programmes and wants to ensure judicious and easy distribution of the Zakat fund among the poor as well.
“The organisation previously entrusted with the responsibility of an efficient distribution of the Zakat fund has not delivered up to the expectation of the beneficiaries,” said Shah, referring to NADRA.
“We have received many complaints about the system under which the Zakat fund was being distributed in the province,” he said. “Therefore, we are giving the charge of the disbursing mechanism to another efficient and active organisation.”
According to Shah, different banks and organisations had agreed to launch the services for a three per cent deduction from the fund as their services charges. However, the Sindh government, and especially the CM, did not feel at ease with the idea of the deduction of even a single rupee from the Zakat fund for the poor people, he added.
(The Express Tribune / 11 July 2014)
---Alfalah Consulting - Kuala Lumpur: www.alfalahconsulting.com
Islamic Investment Malaysia: www.islamic-invest-malaysia.com
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