08 August 2004	Sunday	21 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

PESHAWAR, Aug 7: The NWFP Minister of Zakat, Ushr, Social Welfare and Women Development, Hafiz Hashmat Ali, has said that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government would inaugurate a Darul Kafala next week in the provincial metropolis for the rehabilitation of beggars to curb the menace in the province.

Addressing a certificate distribution ceremony for the arts students of Post-Graduate Institute of Fine Arts in Nishtar Hall here on Saturday, Hafiz Hashmat said that the MMA government was taking concrete steps for the social welfare in the province.

He said that the establishment of a Darul Kafala , would provide training and skill-development of the beggars of the city.

It is a move to abolish beggary from society and make the professional beggars useful citizens of the province.

Due to the propaganda of some westernised women activists and other elements opposed to the MMA government, he said, the provincial government was charged of Talibanization of the province which was baseless.

The MMA government did not believe in Talibanization but was advocating the rights of women and practically taking steps to ensure equal rights for women, Hafiz Hashmat said.

The MMA government has already announced to set up a Women's University and a women campus of Medical University was recently inaugurated in Hayatabad.

The minister said that the misuse of Zakat funds in the previous years had caused lapse of about Rs350 million. The amount lapsed in 1997 was going to be utilized this year as the MMA government's efforts to reappropriate the Zakat funds proved successful, he added.

The MMA government would also establish a 30-bedded special ward for the drug addicts in the Lady Reading Hospital for their rehabilitation, he said.

Hafiz Hashmat further said that the MMA government would use its powers under the Constitution to practically implement Shariah in the province. The people would see the fruits of the Shariah very soon, he claimed.

The gathering was attended by about 400 arts students, who were awarded certificates for completing their Mora Scholarships. The women parliamentarians of the MMA, including Zubaida Khatoon and Shagufta Naz, and District Zakat Committee Chairman Obaid-ur-Rehman were present on the occasion.

Ms Zubaida Khatoon, an MPA, addressing the students who were awarded with certificates, said that they should make good use of their talents and try to earn their livelihood through good means.

Ms Shagufta Naz, another MMA MPA, said that it was the duty of the concerned department of the government to provide Zakat Funds to the people who were in real need and curb corruption and misappropriation of these funds.

Mr Obaid-ur-Rehman said that the Zakat, Ushr and Social Welfare Department had initiated reinstatement schemes and vocational courses for the needy and poor students with the assistance of Mora Technical Education, an NGO.