KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah Saturday said that distribution of Zakat is a great religious responsibility, therefore we have to be careful and responsible while its distribution among the deserving people.
This he said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Rs 1 billion Guzara Allowance ATM cards scheme for needy people here.
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The ceremony was attended by Minister for Zakat and Usher Dost Mohammad Rahimoo, Chairman Sindh Zakat Council Justice (retd) Zahid Qurban Alvi, President Sindh Bank Bilal Shaikh and other senior officers.
The chief minister said that government was releasing over Rs 1.34 billion in the head of zakat every year. “The old zakat distribution system was fraught with loopholes. That’s why taking a practical step we decided to distribute zakat among the registered needy through ATM cards.
Giving beak up of the Zakat funds, he said that government has released Rs 1 billion for Guzara Allowance for 83,000 registered needy people. Apart from it, Rs 214.8 million for education stipend, Rs 20 million for stipend to Deeni madaras, Rs 47.3 million to hospitals for health care, Rs 27.8 million for rehabilitation, Rs 5 million for education foundation and Rs 33.1 million for marriage assistance.
Addressing on the occasion, the Minister for Zakat and Usher said that earlier the Guzara Allowance distribution was entrusted to NADRA but they had a few centers which caused problems for the needy people.
“Now, it has been given to Sindh Bank which has issued ATM cards. This is a transparent system,’ he said.
President Sindh Bank Bilal Shaikh said “we do not charge commission or services charges on distribution of Zakat through ATM cards”.
The chief minister also distributed Guzara Allowance ATM cards among deserving and needy women who were present on the occasion.
