ISLAMABAD, July 7: The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs on Thursday underlined the need to improve the system of Zakat distribution in the country. The committee, which met in the parliament house under the chairmanship of Maulana Samiul Haq, was informed that the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance was promulgated on June 20, 1980, and that Zakat was deductible on the value of assets and the system relied on mandatory deductions.

It was stated that no government funds were involved except for the administrative expenditure on the Central Zakat Council Secretariat.

In reply to a question, it was stated that the tenure of the last Central Zakat Council had ended in October 2004 and the new council was yet to be constituted.

According to a press release, Secretary Ministry of Religious Affairs Zakat and Ushr Wakil Ahmed Khan briefed the committee on the organizational setup and functioning of the provincial zakat councils as well as district and local zakat committees.

He said the central zakat council approved the budget and allocated funds to the provinces on population basis, whereas the Northern Areas and Islamabad capital territory were allocated 0.75 per cent and 0.63 per cent of the regular Zakat budget.

He said the federal cabinet had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of minister for religious affairs to review the Zakat and the Baitul Maal system.

Regarding the Haj policy, the secretary said no major amendments were likely to be made in the current year’s Haj policy. He said 45,000 intending Hujjaj would directly proceed to Madina and they would get clearance within an hour.

He said 150,000 Pakistanis were expected to perform Haj this year. All unsuccessful Haj applicants of last year’s draw will be accommodated this year. The proposal of selecting Haj pilgrims on first come first serve basis was under the consideration of the government, he said.

The members of the committee expressed the view that the system needed to be revamped.

The committee was informed that the Saudi authorities intended to manage the Haj and Umrah operation through tour operators and had appointed more than 80 tour operators as principal agents.

They have appointed external agents in Pakistan and the latter have hired sub-agents. The sub-agents have to get themselves registered with the ministry of religious affairs, he said.

The meeting was attended by senators Nighat Mirza, Dr Khalid Ranjha, Hafiz Abdul Malik Qadri, Mohammad Abbas Komaili, Syed Hidayatullah Shah and Maulvi Agha Mohammad and officials of the ministry.