Provincial Zakat Administration
Secretariat
Zakat & Ushr Department Punjab serves as Secretariat and administers the affairs relating to Zakat & Ushr in Punjab. Secretary Zakat & Ushr is the in-charge of the department, performs the functions of Chief Administrator Zakat in the province.
Punjab Zakat & Ushr Council
It is the highest forum in the Province to exercise general superintendence and control over matters relating to Zakat & Ushr particularly Zakat Fund and maintenance of accounts. The Punjab Zakat & Ushr Council consists of
- A chairman who has retired as a civil servant in basic pay scale 20 or above, or has been a judge of a high court, or in case of non- availability of such persons, any person who is not less than forty years of age, is a graduate, enjoys good reputation and has knowledge of Shariah;
- Minister for Zakat & Ushr of the Government as co-chairman
- Eight persons including at least three women
- One member of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab from each division to be nominated by Speaker including at least three women members
- Secretary to the Government, Finance Department;
- Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department;
- Secretary to the Government, Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department;
- Secretary to the Government, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department;
- Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department;
- Secretary to the Government, Industries, Commerce and Investment Department;
- Chief Administrator/ Secretary to the Government, Zakat & Ushr Department, who shall be the Secretary of the Council.
Attached Department
Office of the Administrator Zakat & Ushr Punjab is a subordinate office of the Secretary Zakat & Ushr Punjab, Who administers and control field setup like Divisional Offices , District Zakat & Ushr Committees and Local Zakat & Ushr Committees for disbursement of Zakat funds under different programs of Zakat.
Divisional Office
Divisional set up consists of a Deputy Administrator Zakat (M&E) (BS-18) and its support staff at each divisional headquarter who conducts monitoring and Evaluation of the working of District Zakat & Ushr Committees (DZCs), Local Zakat & Ushr Committees (LZCs) and other institutions in receipt of Zakat funds in jurisdiction of the respective division.
District Zakat & Ushr Committees
District Zakat & Ushr Committees (one at each district) arrange release of Zakat fund at district level, prepare and maintain accounts
Local Zakat & Ushr Committees
Local Zakat & Ushr Committees shall be constituted for:
(a) a revenue estate in a settled rural area;
(b) a deh or village in a non-settled rural area; and
(c) a ward in an urban area.
Composition:
The Local Zakat and Ushr Committee shall consist of
- a Chairman and nine members,
- including at least three Muslim women who shall not be less than forty years of age, selected by the residents of the locality in the manner
Function:
The Local Zakat and Ushr Committee shall, subject to such guidelines as may be given by the Council and the District Zakat and Ushr Committee:
(a) determine istehqaq separately for:
(i) subsistence allowance;
(ii) rehabilitation, either directly or indirectly through an institution;
(iii) treatment through public hospitals, charitable institutions or any other institutions providing health care;
(iv) any other purpose as may be permitted by Shariah;
(b) prepare and maintain accounts of the Local Zakat Fund in such form and manner as may be prescribed;
(c) tender to the District Zakat and Ushr Committee advice on any matter connected with the collection, disbursement and utilization of Zakat, Ushr and atiyyat.
Note: Presently, Local Zakat & Ushr Committees in the province are not constituted. Therefore, as per section 15(10) of the Punjab Zakat & Ushr Act, 2018, officers in BS-16 or above have been appointed as Administrator Local Zakat & Ushr Committees who are performing functions of the LZCs.