Members in KP Assembly expresses concerns over distribution of Zakat funds
PESHAWAR (APP): Concerns have been strongly raised in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly regarding the method of distributing Zakat funds.
Members have termed the public disclosure of beneficiaries’ names inappropriate and have demanded the introduction of a transparent and dignified system.
During the session, while responding to a question from MPA Shahida Jadoon, Chief Whip Akbar Ayub stated that publicizing the names of Zakat beneficiaries is humiliating for white-collar and middle-class individuals. He said this practice is not only incorrect but also against Islamic principles.
He questioned whether it is appropriate to publicly release the names of deserving individuals and emphasized that hurting people’s dignity is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Government member Arif Ahmad Khan also criticized the current system, saying that although the government has been distributing Zakat for years, it is still unclear how many deserving individuals exist in each constituency.
He suggested that if beneficiary data is available, funds should be transferred directly into their bank accounts instead of publishing names, which would not even require additional staff.
He further noted that many deserving individuals were left out of the Ramadan package, making it essential to develop a comprehensive database.
Law Minister Aftab Alam assured the assembly that the Zakat Department would be instructed not to publicize beneficiaries’ names and instead share details privately with the relevant member. He added that the matter would also be raised with the Chief Minister to establish a better and more dignified system.
PPP member Ahmad Kundi pointed out that there is no clear criterion for the distribution of Zakat funds, despite the availability of data from the Ehsaas Program, which could be used effectively. He stressed the need for a structured and integrated system to ensure transparent distribution of billions of rupees in Zakat funds.
Assembly members unanimously emphasized the need to create a system for Zakat distribution that preserves the dignity of beneficiaries and ensures that assistance reaches them directly.
