SWABI, July 9: Majority of people holding accounts in commercial banks here have withdrawn their money during past two weeks to avoid Zakat deduction by the banks at the start of the fasting month of Ramazan.

The government deducts Zakat from the customer accounts on the first of Ramazan each year and this system, introduced by the regime of Gen Ziaul Haq, remains intact for over 25 years.

“We have seen a great rush of customers withdrawing money, especially in the last couple of days, to avoid Zakat deduction,” said a bank manager.

The banker said that they were aware of the fact, but they could not stop the customers from doing so because they had the right to withdraw their money whenever they desired.

A bank manager, who requested anonymity, claimed that millions of rupees had been withdrawn from his bank and at one stage the situation turned so serious that they had to manage cash from one of their branches in Mardan.

When asked, the customers said that no one could stop them from withdrawing their money.

They said that they had no confidence in the government’s Zakat deduction and distribution system.

“Why the government is indulging in such a practice. We should have the right to pay Zakat from the hard earned money with our own hands,” said a customer.

Abbas Khan, who was withdrawing money from a bank, said that the government’s zakat system was not transparent. “We are not sure that our money would really reach the people who deserve Zakat. I have withdrawn Rs 0.5 million and would deduct Zakat and give it to the needy deserving people with my own hands,” said Mr Khan.

Rehman Sher of Maneri Bala said that people would stop withdrawing money from banks when they would be sure that the Zakat money would reach the deserving.