ISLAMABAD, March 11: An amount of Rs3.85 billion has been released under the Zakat fund against Rs6.03 billion allocated for the four provinces, Islamabad capital territory and Northern Areas in the current financial year.

This was stated by joint secretary, ministry of religious affairs, Zakat and Ushr Khawas Khan Niazi on Tuesday. He said two instalments of Rs1.48 billion and Rs1.02 billion had been released to the Punjab province.

The provincial government has distributed Rs816.75 million among 689,045 beneficiaries as guzara allowance, stipends to students of technical institutions, madressahs, health care, social welfare and marriage assistance to women,” he added.

He said Eid grant and assistance to leprosy patients was also made out of the zakat fund in the province.

The official said the Sindh government had so far been paid Rs464 million out of which Rs115.04 million was disbursed among 58,034 needy people.

He said the beneficiaries included widows and students of madressahs and technical institutions.

As many as 104 women were paid Rs1.04 million as marriage assistance.

He said two instalments amounting to Rs355.29 million and Rs327.80 million each were released to the NWFP.

The provincial government distributed Rs260.00 million among 87,233 beneficiaries.

He said Rs187.91 million were distributed among 24,803 poor and deserving people as Guzara allowance, education stipends, health care, social welfare and marriage assistance.

He said Rs27.50 million were also distributed among 55,000 widows and other poor persons as Eid grant.

A sum of Rs44.59 was given to 7,430 poor students studying in technical educational institutions as stipend in the province. He said Rs106.81 million were released to Balochistan out of Rs300.30 million allocated for the province.

Till now, the provincial government has distributed Rs14.174 million among 11,303 beneficiaries.

About Islamabad capital territory, he said it had been released Rs14.35.90 million.

He said two instalments of Rs23.83 million and Rs18.844 million had been released to Northern Areas out of which Rs23.83 disbursed among 25,810 beneficiaries.

Responding to a question, he said the remaining allocated amount would be released after distribution of the already released zakat.

He said a committee headed by chairman Council of Islamic Ideology had been constituted to improve Zakat collection system.

“We will implement recommendations of the committee in letter and spirit aimed at revamping the system.”—APP