There is a dire need to save Rs 650 billion Zakat in addition to Rs 8.5 billions made through the hides of sacrificial animals from falling in the hands of terrorists and undeserving elements. In this connection, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) will launch a series of awareness seminars to educate people about the importance of "safe giving and safe living" project.
Addressing a seminar jointly organized by Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) and IPAD (Initiative for Peace and Development), Senior Vice President FCCI Rana Sikandar-e-Azam said that the business community of Faisalabad is acknowledged throughout Pakistan for its proactive philanthropist acts. They are always extending maximum help to the poor and needy people. "Many of them pay more than the mandatory Zakat of 2.5 percent," he said and quoted two leading businessmen who are running two full fledged hospitals where poor patients are treated free of cost and managing a large number of schools and colleges where poor students are get free of cost quality education.
Similarly, dozens of FCCI members are independently running free dispensaries particularly in the poor localities of the city, he said and told that Mian Muhammad Idrees has recently announced to bear the entire educational expenses of one thousand students under the System Foundation that has introduced a special program to educate drop out students to pass their matriculation examination within two years. Similarly, Vice President FCCI Engineer Ahmad Hasan will also bear the educational expenses of 25 students under this program.