Azad Kashmir to improve collection, distribution of Zakat.

MUZAFFARABAD -- The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has decided to improve the collection and distribution system of Zakat and introduce reforms in seminaries for the collective good of society.

The government also decided to cut down the administrative costs of the institution dealing with collection and disbursement of Zakat with a view to channelling maximum collections into the welfare of the underprivileged persons.

The decisions were taken by Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas at a meeting on Sunday.

The prime minister was informed that at the moment the only source of Zakat fund was 2.5 per cent deduction from the saving accounts in commercial banks which was witnessing a gradual decline for long notwithstanding the increase in number of Zakat recipients, including individuals as well as institutions.

Meeting chaired by PM also decides to introduce reforms in seminaries

In the current year, Rs455.8 million were collected in Zakat fund, of which Rs185.3 million were distributed among the deserving individuals and institutions and the rest were spent on salaries and other administrative expenditures.

Calling for an immediate review of Zakat collection and distribution process, the prime minister asked the participants not to remain restricted to the income from banks but also convince and encourage affluent members of society to contribute to the official Zakat fund in view of its transparent disbursement to the persons suffering from different life-threatening diseases, needy students and seminaries, impoverished orphans and widows.

He observed that the existing amount of Rs3,000 given to each individual once a year through local Zakat committees was too less and directed to enhance it to eight to 10 thousand per annum.

However, those widows who solely relied on...

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