Deserving people of Fata facing problems due to non-distribution of Zakat: Senate body

ISLAMABAD: The Senate committee on religious affairs on Friday said the deserving people of all seven agencies of erstwhile the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) are facing problems because of non-distribution of Zakat since so many months.

“Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony should ensure distribution of Zakat share to the Fata,” said Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Abdul Ghafoor Haideri urging the government “to notify Fata Zakat Council for making possible the distribution of Zakat share to the area.”

It may be mentioned here that in financial year 2015-16, a total of Rs 89,863,978 was allocated for provision of health and education facilities from Zakat fund tribal areas.

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Out of which, a sum of Rs 11,471,997 was utilised for health facilities in the Fata and a sum of Rs 78,391,981 was utilised for promoting education facilities.

In year 2016-17, a total of Rs 73,256,704 was used for providing health and education facilities in the area from Zakat fund.

Out of which, Rs 13,735,632 was spent on health sector and Rs 59,521,072 on providing education facilities.

In year 2017-18, Zakat amount could not be distributed because of the absence of the Zakat Council.

In year 2018-19, an amount of Rs 7,377.678 million has been collected and Rs 239.059 million were disbursed.