Collected Ushr not being spent in Balochistan, Senate body

The Baloch Hal News

QUETTA: The Standing Committee of Senate on Zakat and Ushr Monday met with the Chairman Senator Saleh Shah here in Quetta.

Other committee members- Senator Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, Senator Prof Sajid Mir and Senator Zaid Khan, Balochistan Minister for Zakaat Salim Khoso, Federal Secretary Zakaat Khalil Idrees, Provincial Secretary Asmatullah Kakar and chairmen district Zakaat committees from Quetta, Killa Saifullah, Khuzdar, Bolan and other districts also attended the meeting.

The meeting was apprised that Ushr tax is being collected from all districts of Balochistan but in response Revenue Department did not release it to the districts for its utilization.

The chairman directed to make Revenue Department Secretary and other concerned officials be present before the committee in next meeting.

The meeting was informed that Rs 180 million of Zakaat funds are inadequate for deserving people in Balochistan. The chairman instructed to include widows, orphans and disable persons in Zakaat obtainers.

Senator Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani emphasized the need to get services of religious scholars regarding disbursement of Zakaat funds. He was of the view that according to Shariah, Ushr also be utilized for the welfare of deserving people of the area from where it was collected.

Balochistan Zakaat Minister Salim Khoso underlined the need that old and dilapidated vehicles of Zakaat Department be auctioned in order to purchase new ones.

He also suggested that a provision should be included in relevant law that Zakaat funds be also spent for establishment of schools and hospitals.