Easypaisa Zakat Disbursement in Punjab
- 9 years ago
Zakat (charity or alms) is a wonderful feature of Islam. It is given in the Islamic month of Ramadan, in keeping with the holy month's theme of benevolence and sacrifice. In Arabic, Zakat means purification, growth and blessing. It reminds us all to be appreciative of the blessings that have been bestowed upon us, and to help empower those less-privileged.
The Punjab Zakat & Ushr Department was formed in 1980, for the collection and disbursement of Zakat & Ushr through the state functionaries, to eradicate poverty and inequalities, and to maintain an economic balance in Pakistan. The disbursement of Zakat takes place by the transfer of funds to the Provincial Zakat Council which in turn transfers it to District Zakat Committees and finally disbursements to the deserving through the Local Zakat Committees.
Until a few months ago, Zakat was being disbursed to the deserving beneficiaries through crossed cheques, making it mandatory for the beneficiaries to own a bank account for cheque deposit. The beneficiaries of zakat comprise primarily of the blind, the deaf, the elderly, and the widowed or otherwise disabled recipients. Thus, dealing with the banking system and opening a bank account was all the more challenging.
Through Easypaisa, the disbursement of Zakat has simplified life for the thousands of beneficiaries. The deserving beneficiaries are now sent an SMS informing them of their payment and a secret code. They are then instructed to take their CNIC along with the secret code to the nearest Easypaisa shop, Telenor Sales & Service Center or Tameer Microfinance Bank Branch and get their zakat disbursement in cash instantly.
When signing the disbursement agreement with Easypaisa, the honorable Minister of Zakat & Ushr in the Punjab Government, Malik Nadeem Kamran stated that the most important feature of Zakat disbursements through a channel like Easypaisa was that the beneficiary’s ‘izzat-e-nafs’ (self-dignity) was kept intact. Indeed, Easypaisa has not only provided convenience to the deserving zakat beneficiaries but has also saved them the hassles and maltreatment faced through the regular banking channel. Easypaisa also eliminates fraudulent practices by promoting transparency and smoother disbursements.
Today, Easypaisa is facilitating 50,000 Zakat beneficiaries in 18 districts of Punjab, anticipating expansion to 36 districts in a few months, thus sharing the responsibility of distribution of Zakat amongst the deserving beneficiaries under different programs, like Guzara Allowances, the Educational Stipend to the Students of Educational Institutions and Deeni Madaris, Health Care, Rehabilitation, Marriage of deserving Girls and Stipends to deserving students of technical institutions.
We at Easypaisa are humbled at the opportunity to help out in fulfilling an important religious requirement. We are further proud in helping the Punjab Government serve the people of this country in a more convenient and efficient manner.
The Punjab Zakat & Ushr Department was formed in 1980, for the collection and disbursement of Zakat & Ushr through the state functionaries, to eradicate poverty and inequalities, and to maintain an economic balance in Pakistan. The disbursement of Zakat takes place by the transfer of funds to the Provincial Zakat Council which in turn transfers it to District Zakat Committees and finally disbursements to the deserving through the Local Zakat Committees.
Until a few months ago, Zakat was being disbursed to the deserving beneficiaries through crossed cheques, making it mandatory for the beneficiaries to own a bank account for cheque deposit. The beneficiaries of zakat comprise primarily of the blind, the deaf, the elderly, and the widowed or otherwise disabled recipients. Thus, dealing with the banking system and opening a bank account was all the more challenging.
Through Easypaisa, the disbursement of Zakat has simplified life for the thousands of beneficiaries. The deserving beneficiaries are now sent an SMS informing them of their payment and a secret code. They are then instructed to take their CNIC along with the secret code to the nearest Easypaisa shop, Telenor Sales & Service Center or Tameer Microfinance Bank Branch and get their zakat disbursement in cash instantly.
When signing the disbursement agreement with Easypaisa, the honorable Minister of Zakat & Ushr in the Punjab Government, Malik Nadeem Kamran stated that the most important feature of Zakat disbursements through a channel like Easypaisa was that the beneficiary’s ‘izzat-e-nafs’ (self-dignity) was kept intact. Indeed, Easypaisa has not only provided convenience to the deserving zakat beneficiaries but has also saved them the hassles and maltreatment faced through the regular banking channel. Easypaisa also eliminates fraudulent practices by promoting transparency and smoother disbursements.
Today, Easypaisa is facilitating 50,000 Zakat beneficiaries in 18 districts of Punjab, anticipating expansion to 36 districts in a few months, thus sharing the responsibility of distribution of Zakat amongst the deserving beneficiaries under different programs, like Guzara Allowances, the Educational Stipend to the Students of Educational Institutions and Deeni Madaris, Health Care, Rehabilitation, Marriage of deserving Girls and Stipends to deserving students of technical institutions.
We at Easypaisa are humbled at the opportunity to help out in fulfilling an important religious requirement. We are further proud in helping the Punjab Government serve the people of this country in a more convenient and efficient manner.