Lawmakers criticise delay in release of Zakat funds.

QUETTA -- Balochistan Assembly members have criticised the provincial government for not releasing Zakat funds even after the start of Ramazan.

The lawmakers said the decision of the religious affairs department has aggravated the suffering of the poor.

The issue was taken up by Nasarullah Zerey of the opposition PkMAP party during Monday's session presided over by Speaker Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali.

Soon after the chair deferred the question hour due to the absence of ministers concerned, Mr Zerey took the floor to draw the house's attention towards the matter. He added Balochistan has Rs2 billion in Zakat funds but the religious affairs department secretary was reluctant to release the funds to district and union zakat committees for distribution.

He said poor people were visiting zakat committees' offices and asking for help in the holy month of Ramazan. 'The chief minister should take notice of the situation and ask the officials concerned to immediately release the funds,' the PkMAP lawmaker demanded.

He also pointed out that the administration was imposing fines on profiteers but they weren't being issued any receipt to deposit the fine...