Over 30,000 beneficiaries await assistance; scholarships, medical aid remains suspended
RAWALPINDI:
The Zakat Department will not provide financial assistance to registered low-income families and widows across Rawalpindi Division on the occasion of Eidul Azha, following the suspension of similar payments during Eidul Fitr amid an acute financial crisis.
More than 30,000 registered beneficiaries across the six districts of Rawalpindi Division – including Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang and Jhelum – have been deprived of Zakat assistance in the last 14 months.
Officials confirmed that due to severe financial constraints, no special Eid subsidy would be distributed this Eidul Azha, leaving thousands of deserving families in need.
During the last 14 months, the District Zakat Councils have also failed to issue scholarships to underprivileged students or provide financial support to families of visually impaired persons and leprosy patients.
In addition, free medical treatment, surgeries and kidney dialysis services for poor patients in public hospitals have remained suspended for the past two years and two months because Zakat funds were not released.
Under the previous system, eligible families received monthly financial assistance of Rs2,000 either every month or every quarter, while special Eid grants of Rs10,000 to Rs12,000 were traditionally paid on Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha.
Officials said the last such payment was made during Eidul Fitr 2025. Since then, no financial assistance has been provided to beneficiaries or widows due to the ongoing funding crisis.
A large number of women reportedly visit Zakat Council offices daily but return disappointed after being told that no funds are available.
At present, all six districts of Rawalpindi Division, including Rawalpindi District, have been without permanent chairmen of District Zakat Councils for the past two years, while several posts in other districts have been vacant for nearly three years.
Authorities said there are 1,166 union councils in Rawalpindi district and approximately 3,500 local union councils across the division. These local Zakat committees were disbanded two years ago after the completion of their terms and are currently run by interim administrators.
Affected beneficiaries, including Ruqaiya Bibi, Sakina Begum and Gulfraz Bibi, said they had repeatedly visited Zakat Council offices since Eidul Fitr but had not received any help.
According to the women, the office staff informed them that payments would be transferred through Easypaisa once funds became available.
