MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 26: The AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan here on Tuesday approved Rs56.7 million for different social works from Zakat Profit Fund for the year 2003—04.

Briefing the PM on the occasion, AJK minister for Zakat and Ushr Hafiz Hamid Raza said that Rs15m had been allocated for treatment of the patients suffering from cancer, renal, cardiac and other serious diseases.

He said Rs10m were allocated for distribution among the victims of Indian shelling along the Line of Control, whereas Rs3m were earmarked for the victims of natural calamities.

The minister said that an amount of Rs5m was reserved for aiding the healthcare and educational institutions. Rs400,000 would be spent on sewing machines for the destitute women, he added.

The minister told the meeting that during the last financial year, Rs2m were earmarked for CT scan and kidney dialysis and an endowment fund of Rs10m was also set up for the benefit of maximum number of such patients.

The meeting also effected an amendment in Zakat Profit Fund Rules whereby the chief secretary would head the committee for approval of expenditures from the fund beyond Rs300,000 while secretary Zakat and Ushar would be the chairman of the approval committee for the expenditures below that amount.—Staff Correspondent