ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal will disburse next instalment of financial assistance to the poor and needy through the National Bank of Pakistan, instead of post offices.

This was stated by the managing director of the PBM, Brig (retd) Mohammad Sarfraz, while talking to Dawn here on Thursday.

The decision has been taken in the wake of concerns expressed by the Senate standing committee on communication over the malpractices in the disbursement of Bait-ul-Maal funds through the Pakistan Post Office.

The committee in a recent meeting had recommended that the disbursement system of the funds through post offices be revamped and action be taken against individuals involved in corruption.

“There is no fault on the part of Bait-ul-Maal and the bungling is being done by the staff of Pakistan Post Office”, Brig Sarfraz said.

He said that it was the duty of the PBM to provide the amount to post offices for onward disbursement among rightful beneficiaries and the department was not responsible if it was not done.

Replying to a question, he said that a foolproof system was in place for monitoring of financial assistance extended to the needy by the Bait-ul-Maal.

He said that it was incorrect to say that the Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal had not been able to achieve basic objective of its establishment since a majority of the destitute and deserving people had been neglected, instead undeserving people had been getting the financial aid.

“No system in the world is perfect, but we keep on rectifying the wrongs pointed out to us”, he said.

He said that some 280 officials of grade 19 and below had been terminated for inefficiency and misconduct, since he assumed the charge in May 2000.

He said that no case of embezzlement had been reported during the period.