Department has launched release of prisoners Scheme as a pilot project in 10 districts i.e. Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi ,Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur & DG khan. Under this scheme, the prisoners who are confined due to non payment of their fine will be able to get benefits as given procedure . ( Discontinued by Punjab Zakat & Ushr Council for the current Financial Year)
Procedure
- The prisoner or any person (preferably his/her close relative) shall make a request to the District Zakat Committee on the prescribed form
- Istehqaq of the prisoner shall be determined by the concerned Local Zakat Committee on the prescribed form.
- Application form along with relevant documents (copy of FIR, order sheet of the court, copy of resolution of Local Zakat Committee, copy of LZ-19, copy of CNIC of the applicant) shall be submitted in the office of the concerned District Zakat Committee by the applicant.
- Antecedents of the prisoner shall be got verified by the District Zakat Officer from the concerned Jail Superintendent
- After approval of the District Committee, funds shall be released from the District Zakat Fund to the concerned authorities for payment of fine on behalf of the prisoner.
- Fine up to the limit of Rs.100,000/- (One Lac) shall be paid for the release of a prisoner.
- Record of payment of fine shall be provided for verification, internal and external audit by the concerned authority/agency/institution to whom the funds have been transferred by the District Zakat Committee.
- Zakat funds shall not be paid for release of professional criminals and persons involved in heinous crimes (Murder, rape, infanticide, kidnapping, drug trafficking terrorism, or anti-state activities etc.)
- Zakat funds shall not be spent for the release of a person more than one time.
- Zakat funds shall not be spent for the release of prisoners who are ineligible to receive Zakat under Shariah.