ISLAMABAD: The government has disbursed Rs328.96 billion out of the Rs466 billion allocated for the beneficiaries of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) during the outgoing financial year, the Economic Survey 2023-24 said.

The BISP targeted impoverished women and aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), operates with its headquarters in Islamabad, 16 zonal offices, 154 district offices, and 257 sub-divisional offices nationwide.

The survey documents reveal that under the Kafalat Unconditional Cash Transfer Programme, Rs257.47 billion was disbursed to 9.4 million beneficiaries, while Rs55.97 billion was disbursed under the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme.

The Zakat system promotes fair wealth distribution, serving as a safeguard against poverty and reducing community inequality. Zakat funds aid the needy, orphans, widows, and disabled individuals, providing sustenance and rehabilitation.

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The federal government manages Zakat collection and distribution according to the formula approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) across provinces and federal territories and in the nine months of current fiscal year Rs7.39 billion were distributed.

At the same time the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) continues to aid communities through interest-free loans and improved access to infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education, livelihoods, and disaster resilience.

Operating in 149 districts nationwide, PPAF disbursed Rs1.99 billion during July-March 2024 through its partner organisations for various donor-funded and self-funded programmes.

The Pakistan Baitul Mal plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty by providing targeted assistance to the most vulnerable, including needy individuals, widows, orphans, and people with disabilities.

Its support includes educational assistance for orphans, stipends for outstanding students, residential accommodations, free medical treatment, and funding for charitable institutions.

In the current fiscal Rs7.67 billion was allocated, with Rs4.32 billion utilised from July to March for its core projects and schemes.

During July-March 2024, Rs1.37 billion were spent on 12,303 scholarship cases under the Workers Welfare Fund (WWF), Rs660.14 million was given out as marriage grants, with each worker receiving Rs400,000, benefiting 4,107 workers’ families.

The WWF also disbursed Rs575.5 million as death grants, paying Rs800,000 per worker, covering 1,060 incidents nationwide, and Rs42.53 billion was disbursed by the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) on various pension schemes, the Economic Survey reported.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2024