KARACHI, Oct 24: The Federal Shariat Court issued fresh notices to legal and economic experts for Oct 31 to assist it in resolving issues pertaining to the imposition and distribution of Zakat.

A three-member bench comprising FSC Chief Justice Haziqul Khairi and Justices Dr Fida Mohammad Khan and Salahuddin Mirza is seized of nine petitions agitating Zakat-related matters.

The important points raised by the petitioners and the issues framed by the court on its own motion are:

1. Zakat is deducted from bank deposits on the first day of Ramazan irrespective of their duration and even if the amounts have remained in the depositors’ accounts for less than a year.

2. Is it permissible to distribute Zakat among the poor and deserving citizens irrespective of their religion and belief?

3. Nasab of Zakat prescribed by the government is Rs15,020, which is not in conformity with the relevant Islamic injunction as the price of 7.5 tolas of gold is much higher than the prescribed Nasab or rate.

4. Is it permissible to levy Zakat on landed property, both agricultural and non-agricultural, not in use of its owner?

5. Whether Zakat deduction twice in a year is permissible?

6. Whether a person is liable to pay Zakat when his debt exceeds his credit balance in a bank?

7. Whether Zakat should be deducted from all types of bank accounts in which the amounts remain intact for one full year?

8. Whether banks, financial institutions, international corporations, companies and statutory bodies are liable to pay Zakat?