As a step forward towards transparency, Sindh Government would introduce the "Benazir-Muawinat-cards" for Zakat-beneficiaries of province, Business Recorder learnt on Monday. On the directives of President Asif Ali Zaradri, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has approved the scheme and directed provincial Zakat and Ushr department to co-ordinate with National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) in this regard.
Zakat and Ushr department has started work with NADRA a few months ago and provided all documents related to the matter of Zakat and its beneficiaries to the NADAR officials, sources told. The department has provided the list of 181,298 Zakat-beneficiaries to NADRA officials, sources added.
NADRA team has been working on the enrolment of Zakat-beneficiaries on the basis of data provided by Zakat and Ushr department and disbursement through biometric system of identification. Four Samples of Benazir-Muawinat-card have been sent to Zakat and Ushr department by NADRA a few days back, sources said. After the approval of card sample, NADRA would print the cards and distribute among the beneficiaries, sources said. NADRA would also designate outlets for the disbursement of said cards and would also conduct reporting and monitoring of whole new e-system.
NADRA database shall be instrumental in identification and screening of Mustahiqeen. The disbursement of Zakat through Benazir-Muawinat-Cards shall minimise human involvement in the process of disbursement, sources held. Provincial Zakat and Ushr department would provide funds to NADRA six months prior to disbursement of Zakats, sources said. After the completion of work, the NADRA would present the model of that e-system to Sindh Zakat Council (SZC).
SZC has the authority to approve or reject the system due to any objection, sources added. With the launching of this scheme, the beneficiaries would draw their Zakat amount through ATM booths. Experts told Business Recorder that system of Zakat has been in effect since 1980, yet failed to win over the confidence of down-trodden on its efficacy during these long years.
This e-system would help to end possibilities of irregularities and beneficiaries would get direct benefits through these cards, they added. Sources claimed that NADRA has completed almost 90 percent work in this regard and the system would be introduced very soon.