LAHORE, Sept 25: Zakat distribution has been suspended in the province since July on account of election of new district and local Zakat committees following completion of the three-year tenure of the old ones.

The process was started with the constitution of the new Provincial Zakat Council after several months of inquiries against the nominees by different government agencies. It was followed by the nominations for the constitution of the 34 district Zakat committees last month.

The Provincial Zakat Council has now directed the district committees to arrange holding of elections of 25,200 local committees within a month.

The local Zakat committees elections are expected to take two to three months because the district committee members and Zakat officials will have to arrange meetings for the purpose at mosques in every committee area. Every local Zakat committee comprises nine members.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League is taking keen interest in the elections of local Zakat bodies as it can accommodate not only a very large number of its members but also provide it an opportunity to win the support of the people by providing financial assistance to them.