ZAKAT DEDUCTION: Since the 1980s, Zakat is deducted from bank accounts on the first day of Ramazan every year. The minimum amount declared this year for such deductions was Rs135,179. The deductions are made from profit-and-loss sharing (PLS) savings accounts that also receive interest from the banks which is calculated on the basis of their deposits. If an account balance was, say, Rs130,000 the additional interest payment took the balance beyond the Rs135,179 limit that was set for zakat deduction. This is an anomaly that the system and its managers need to sort out rather urgently.

Taha Soomro
Karachi

UPRIGHT OFFICIALS: My father served in senior capacities across his professional career as a police and intelligence officer and was awarded the prestigious Pakistan Police Medal. He retired in 1987 and after handing over charge to the new chairman, he immediately refused official car to take him home, as he was no longer entitled to it. His colleagues had to make an effort to persuade him to ride the official car and keep it for some time. He was not the only upright officer. In those times there were many. I wish we could get such upright officers again as the country is in a dire need of such officials.

Tahir Hassan
Karachi

GOOD EXAMPLE: Though there has been some controversy regarding the decision of the Punjab government to reduce the price of roti and naan across the province, there can be no argument about the direction of the government. In sharp contrast, the situation in cities across Balochistan, particularly in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, is quite grim, with prices soaring up to Rs30 for roti and Rs50 for naan. Unfortunately, the lack of action from the provincial government is disheartening and frustrating for the people. In fact, the situation in Quetta calls for immediate intervention similar to what was done in the Punjab to ensure that basic food items remain accessible to people of all social classes.

Mina Munir
Turbat

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2024