Islamabad (Qasim Jamshaid)
For the past year, the District of Islamabad has failed to release Zakat funds, leaving deserving and underprivileged individuals in anticipation. Following revelations of embezzlement worth millions in the Zakat fund, Islamabad’s Chief Commissioner, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, referred the case to the FIA for proper investigation. However, despite recommendations, the matter remains unresolved.
Due to delays in Zakat distribution, many deserving families are struggling to manage their household expenses and medical costs. They have urged the Prime Minister of Pakistan to take immediate notice and ensure the release of the funds.
Corruption in Zakat Funds – Investigation and Findings
The current chairman of the Zakat Committee identified irregularities and caught the audit officer, editor, district Zakat officer, and stenotypist red-handed with evidence. An inquiry committee was subsequently formed, leading to investigations that uncovered large-scale embezzlement in Islamabad’s Zakat fund. Despite the committee’s recommendations for action against the corrupt officials, the case remains pending.
Sources reveal that an inquiry committee, formed in October 2024, recently completed its investigation, exposing alleged embezzlement by several district administration officials and local Zakat committee chairpersons. Upon receiving reports of fund misappropriation, an initial inquiry was conducted, confirming the corruption. Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa personally supervised the investigation and assigned the FIA to conduct a thorough probe, recommending strict action against those found guilty.
However, sources claim that the accused individuals have been reinstated to their positions, while Zakat funds remain frozen, pushing many deserving families into financial distress.
Further Investigations and Audit Recommendations
Investigators have suggested an external audit. Reports of misappropriation surfaced in October, implicating several government officials and revealing the formation of 185 allegedly illegal local Zakat committees. Additionally, irregularities worth 3.67 billion rupees were found in the Zakat and Bait-ul-Mal funds.
Following this, the Chief Commissioner ordered an audit of local Zakat committees, hospitals, and institutions where the funds were allocated, instructing them to submit a report within two months. However, this process has also been stalled. The audit report was compared with the external audit’s findings, which recommended a forensic audit to verify the authenticity of signatures and handwriting of the IZUC chairman on suspected fraudulent checks.
The inquiry committee also suggested restructuring the District Zakat Officer’s office to ensure efficiency by appointing permanent staff and filling vacant positions on a priority basis. Additionally, it recommended biometric verification, in consultation with NADRA, to ensure transparency in Zakat fund distribution to deserving households.
Despite a Year-Long Delay, Deserving Families Still Await Zakat Funds
Deserving families have made a direct appeal to the Prime Minister of Pakistan to take immediate notice and ensure the release of Zakat funds without further delay.
