Frequently Asked Questions

General When was the system of Zakat & Ushr introduced in the county? What are the various tiers of Zakat system? What is the organizational setup of Zakat in Punjab? What is Nisab of Zakat during the year? Which are Zakat deducting agencies? When Zakat is deducted? Who is eligible to receive Zakat? Are non-Muslims eligible for Zakat? Under what programmes Zakat is distributed? What are the distribution channels of Zakat? What are the functions of Local Zakat Committees? Programs What is Guzara Allowance? What is rate of Guzara Allowance? Does the Government intend to enhance the rate of Guzara Allowance? What is the procedure to apply for Guzara Allowance? Who are preferred for Grant of Guzara Allowance? What is Educational Stipends (General)? What is procedure for apply to the Educational Stipends (General)? What is Stipends for the students of Deeni Madaris? What is the procedure to apply for Stipends to Deeni Madaris? What is Health Care? Is financial assistance in cash is available to deserving patients in hospitals? What is the procedure to get free medical treatment in hospital? What is procedure to apply for Marriage Grant? What is rate of Marriage Assistance? What is Education Stipends (Technical)? What is procedure to apply for Educational Stipends (Technical)? Where does Zakat money go?
When was the system of Zakat & Ushr introduced in the county?	Top
Zakat & Ushr system was introduced in 1980

What are the various tiers of Zakat system?	Top
Provincial Zakat Administration Divisional Zakat offices District Zakat Committee Local Zakat Committee

What is the organizational setup of Zakat in Punjab?	Top
Office of the Secretary/Chief Administrator Zakat Office of the Administrator Zakat Punjab Office of the Deputy Administrator Zakat (M&E) (at each division) District Zakat Committees(in each district) Local Zakat Committee in each Ward/ Deh/ Village

What is Nisab of Zakat uring the year ?	Top
Rs. 46329 during the year of 1441 A.H.

Which are Zakat deducting agencies?	Top
The banks, Offices, Centers or Financial Institutions

When Zakat is deducted?	Top
1st of Ramdan-ul-Mubarak (every year) on PLS Accounts

Who is eligible to receive Zakat?	Top
A Muslim citizen of Pakistan living below poverty line

Are non-Muslims eligible for Zakat?	Top
No, non-Muslims are not eligible to receive Zakat

Under what programmes Zakat is distributed?	Top
Guzara Allowance Guzara Allowance for blinds Educational Stipends (General) Educational Stipends to the Students of Deeni Madaris Health Care Marriage Assistance Educational Stipends (Technical) Sustainable Economic Empowerment Program(SEEP)

What are the distribution channels of Zakat?	Top
Provincial Zakat Council Transfer funds to District Zakat Committees and institutions in Punjab. District Zakat Committee transfer funds to Local Zakat Committees and institutions in the respective district. Local Zakat Committees and institutes distribute Zakat Funds among the deserving people

What are the functions of Local Zakat Committees?	Top
Determination of Istehqaq Distribution of Zakat funds among the Mustahqeen

What is Guzara Allowance?	Top
Guzara Allowance is a monthly stipend provided to the needy, indigent, poor and deserving people living below the poverty line through Local Zakat Committee of the area of residence

What is rate of Guzara Allowance?	Top
As of July 2014, Rs. 1000/- per month per mustahiq

Does the Government intend to bring any change in the payment systems of zakat?	Top
Yes. The Government of Punjab has brought radical changes in the zakat system. As of October 2104, guzara allowance is being paid through a hassle free Telenor Easypaisa. Now mustehqeen can get zakat assistance from their nearest easypaisa shop. Rates of Guzara allownace and marriage grant have been doubled.

What is the procedure to apply for Guzara Allowance?	Top
The deserving person can apply in writing to the Chairman, Local Zakat Committee of the area of his/her residence. Local Zakat Committee concerned will process the application, keeping in view the financial condition of the applicant. After necessary evaluation the Istehqaq is determined by the Local Zakat Committee or otherwise is declined.

Who are preferred for Grant of Guzara Allowance?	Top
Chronic poor including Widows, Disabled, Orphans, aged persons

What is Educational Stipends (General)?	Top
Educational Stipends (General) are meant for poor and needy students at college or university level getting education in the educational institutions established by the Government

What is procedure for apply to the Educational Stipends (General)?	Top
A deserving student can apply to the head of his/her institution which will process it to the District Zakat Committee. Istehqaq will be determined by the local Zakat committee of the area of his/her residence or where the educational institution is located

What is Stipends for the students of Deeni Madaris?	Top
A stipend for students of Deeni Madaris is the financial assistance available to the deserving students getting Deeni Education in Madrisa enlisted with Provincial Zakat Administration. The stipends are subject to Istehqaq certification from Local Zakat Committee and approval of the district Zakat committee

What is the procedure to apply for Stipends to Deeni Madaris?	Top
A deserving student can apply to the head of his/her institution which will process it to the District Zakat Committee. Istehqaq will be determined by the local Zakat committee of the area of his/her residence or where the madrisa is located

What is Health Care?	Top
Health Care is the facility of free medical treatment available to mustahiq in DHQ, THQ, RHCs, BHUs and in the National Level Teaching Hospitals. Free treatment is subject to determination of Istehqaq by the Local Zakat Committee of the area of permanent residence of the patient

Is financial assistance in cash is available to deserving patients in hospitals?	Top
No. Only medicines, tests, artificial limbs, medical treatment including operation, bed in general ward and free transportation of the patient is provided by the concerned hospital

What is the procedure to get free medical treatment in hospital?	Top
The mustahiq patients will get a Istehqaq certificate from the Local Zakat Committee of his/her area and submit the form in the hospital to the Medical Social Officer for free medical treatment

What is procedure to apply for Marriage Grant?	Top
The mustahiq can apply to District Zakat Committee through Local Zakat Committee for Marriage Assistance and District Zakat Committee will release funds as per procedure to the Local Zakat Committee concerned. Payment to the mustahiq will be made by the local Zakat committee

What is rate of Marriage Assistance?	Top
Rs. 20,000/-

What is Education Stipends (Technical)?	Top
Educational Stipends (Technical) are meant for poor students getting Education in Vocational Training Institutes of Punjab Vocational Training Council

What is procedure to apply for Educational Stipends (Technical)?	Top
Is there any lump sum grant available to the students after completion of Course?
The student can apply to the District Zakat Committee on the prescribed form for Stipends Technical through his/her institution, subject to determination of Istehqaq by the Local Zakat Committee concerned. The District Zakat Committee may release funds to the Technical institutions for stipends to deserving students

Where does Zakat money go?	Top
Zakat money is spent only on the poor and needy Muslims. Each penny is auditd and accounted for under a number of checks and balances. Zakat cannot and is not spent by the Government except on the poor under schemes channelized through Zakat department

General

Programs