ISLAMABAD, March 10: The National Assembly was informed on Thursday that the government disbursed Rs110 million from the Baitul Mal fund to the NGOs during the past four years.

The information was revealed in response to a question by MNA Hanif Abbassi, who had sought the names of the NGOS, which received grant from Baitul Mal and the procedure and criterion for giving the funds meant for destitute orphans and women.

The record placed before the house revealed that Rawalpindi and Islamabad Professional Women’s Organization, Bazme Ahbab Lahore, All Pakistan Agra Amir Abul Allai Association and Tanzeem Pasdare Wattan Baltistan were among some of the 195 NGOs, which received the Baitul Mal funds.

In a written reply, the minister for social welfare and special education, Zobaida Jalal, placed the record of 195 NGOs in various districts of the country.

The record placed before the house showed that government had increased the upper limit of funds to be allocated to NGOs to Rs5 million from May 12, 2004.

The house was informed that 15 NGOs in the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad received Rs9.8 million from the Baitul Mal funds.

The NGOs, which received funds in Islamabad and Rawalpindi included the following:

Rawalpindi and Islamabad Professional Women’s Organization, Human Resource Development Society Islamabad, Azme Nau Development and Welfare Society Islamabad, Al-Maktoom Special Education Islamabad, Tahfuze Haqooqe Khawateen Welfare Society, Dews Rawalpindi, Attock Sahara Foundation, Eye Donor’s Organisation Wah Cantt, Rifah Trust, Al Mustafa Trust, Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness, Pakistan Kidney Patients Association, Rawalpindi Eye Donors Organisation, Ideal Education Social Welfare Society, and Khairul Kaseer Welfare Society.

Senior Citizens: In reply to a question by MNA Laeeque Khan, the house was informed that the government spent Rs13,200 on four events organized by the ministry of social welfare for the senior citizens since 1999 when the UN declared October 1st as the Senior Citizen’s Day.