KARACHI: The Government of Pakistan has officially fixed the Nisab of Zakat for 2026 at Rs503,529, setting the minimum threshold for compulsory Zakat deduction by commercial banks.
In a notification issued by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, the Nisab for the Zakat Year 1446–47 A.H. has been determined at Rs503,529 (Rupees Five Hundred Three Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Nine only). This amount represents the minimum balance required in eligible bank accounts for the deduction of Zakat at source.
According to the provisions of the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance, 1980, no Zakat shall be deducted where the balance in an account, concerning assets listed in Column 2 of Serial No. 1 of the First Schedule of the Ordinance, is less than Rs503,529 on the first day of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak, 1447 A.H.
The government has also notified the first day of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak, 1447 A.H., as the official “Deduction Date” for Zakat. This date is expected to fall on February 19 or 20, 2026, subject to the sighting of the moon. On this day, Zakat will be deducted from savings bank accounts, profit and loss sharing accounts, and other similar accounts that hold a balance of Rs503,529 or above.
All Zakat Collecting and Controlling Agencies (ZCCAs) have been directed to ensure strict compliance with these instructions. The deducted Zakat amounts must be deposited immediately into the Central Zakat Account No. CZ-08, maintained with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has also issued formal instructions to commercial banks, directing them to carry out Zakat deductions at source in accordance with the notified Nisab and deposit the collected amounts promptly after the deduction date.
The annual fixation of Nisab is a key step in the country’s Zakat system, ensuring transparent and standardized deductions in line with Islamic principles and prevailing economic conditions.
