Sindh Zakat utilisation system reviewed

National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr led by its Chairman Pir Muhammad Shah Khagga here on Thursday reviewed the Zakat utilisation system of Sindh province.
Among other notables, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr, Ejaz-ul-Haq and Sindh Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr, Sardar Manzoor Panhwar were also present.
The other members of visiting Committee included Saeed Ahmed Chaudhry, Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood, Ahmed Raza Manek, Muhammad Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Qari Abdul Bais Siddiqui, Shahida Akhtar Ali, Shagufta Jumani, Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani and Sahibzada Haji Muhammad Fazal Karim.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Ejaz-ul-Haq said the existing Zakat system of the country is exemplary one, in which total 400,000 volunteers are working through out the country.
He said government is fully determined to improve the Zakat system to further improve the check and balance system and Zakat collection and distribution system to deliver maximum benefits to needy people "Mustahiqeen" from the same. In this connection different recommendations have been presented before Federal Cabinet, he said.
He said improvement in Zakat system will also help in poverty alleviation and creation of more employment opportunities in the country.
It has been suggested that Federal government should provide Rs 380 million in terms of running expenses of the Provincial Zakat departments from the budget which are, he said at present provided from the Zakat collection.
The meeting also lauded the utilisation of Zakat in Punjab for establishing vocational training institutes to impart education to needy children and suggested that Sindh should follow the same course.
The visiting body also sought details of the corruption cases regarding misappropriation from Zakat collections and distribution registered in Sindh province during the last three years.
Sindh Minister for Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr, Sardar Manzoor Panhwar apprised the meeting that around 10 to 15 corruption cases were registered in the province during the period.
These cases have already been sent to Provincial Zakat Council for further action, he noted.
The meeting also discussed some other suggestions like increase the Guzara Allowance from Rs 500 to 750, establishing vocational training institutes in Sindh from Zakat collection on pattern of Punjab, provision of financial assistance to needy students to get lower to higher education.
It was also announced that a joint session of Senate and National Assembly Standing Committees on Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushr will be held in Islamabad to finalise the recommendations.
The meeting also constituted a three-member committee to inquire an alleged misappropriation of Rs 150 million in Thatta from Zakat collection. The committee will present report to visiting body within next 15 days.
The meeting appointed Ahmed Raza Manek as Chairman of the Inquiry Committee while Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani, Shagufta Jumani and Secretary Sindh Religious Affairs were appointed as members.
District Co-ordination Officers of Hyderabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Jamshoro, Larkana, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Khairpur, Shadadpur, Mirpurkhas and Sanghar were also present.