KASUR, Feb 12: At least 1,800 chairman and members of various Zakat committees in the province have been sacked on charges of corruption and embezzlement of funds.

This was stated by Punjab Minister for Zakat and Ushr Mian Khadim Hussain Wattoo on Thursday while presiding over a meeting to review the performance of the Kasur District Zakat Committee.

The minister said million of rupees were recovered from the sacked people. He categorically said that corrupt elements would not be tolerated as present government was committed to ensure distribution of Zakat funds among the deserving people.

Mr Wattoo urged the legislators to recommend names of efficient, honest and dedicated people to the provincial Zakat Council for nomination as chairman of district committees because the term of present bodies would expire in March.

Earlier, District Zakat Committee chairman Riaz Ahmad Kasuri informed the meeting that a sum of Rs82 million had been distributed among the deserving people during the current financial year.

He said that 56 chairman and 24 field clerks in Kasur had also been sacked for corruption and embezzlement of Zakat funds whereas 15 cases against various chairmen and members were being probed. The minister expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Kasur District Zakat Committee.