Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Zakat Council has decided in its 52 meeting to release funds to all districts for the payment of Rs.2000 as maintenance allowance per month per family. It will benefit 27,767 families in the province. The education stipend per year to college students has been increased from Rs.24, 000 to Rs.36, 000 thousand. Moreover, dowry grant has also been increased by Rs.10, 000.
Although these measures of financial assistance are commendable but its coverage in terms of beneficiaries needs extension as the percentage of people living below the poverty line is increasing. From the year 2009 and onward the amount of Zakat collection by banks is on the decline as affluent people and philanthropist do not trust the Zakat distribution system of government. Before, the dissolution of Ministry of Zakat and Usher under 18th Amendment Rs. 100 million used to be doled out to Advertisement Agencies for airing advertisements on electronic media and placing cloured advertisements in print media till 2009. In 2010, the same publicity objective had been achieved by airing complimentary public service messages. If trust deficit regarding Zakat disbursement is removed by ensuring transparency, then zakat collection will increase, benefiting more and more deserving people by the grant of maintenance allowance and education stipends?
