PESHAWAR, Dec 13: NWFP Minister for Zakat, Ushr, Social Welfare and Women Development, Hafiz Hashmat Khan has directed the authorities of Zakat and Ushr Department to  complete necessary formalities within a month for putting in place the  internal audit system to ensure transparency in  the distribution of Zakat among Mustahiqeen.

He expressed these views during a briefing given to him on Zakat and Ushr Department here on Friday.

Provincial minister also directed for the constitution of  a committee to suggest ways and means to ensure transparency in the Zakat system as well as to simplify the procedure for the benefit of Mustahiqeen.

The  minister also took serious notice of the  alleged malpractice in the distribution of Zakat Fund under permanent rehabilitation package as well as assistance being provided to poor patients for health care out of Zakat funds and directed the authorities concerned to redress public grievances in this regard.

He also stressed the need of organizing workshops and training courses for the members of Zakat committees right from local committees up to Tehsil, District and Provincial tiers so that they could not only carry out their obligations efficiently but also to inculcate in them the fear of Almighty Allah to ensure judicious distribution of Zakat to the deserving people.

He, however, warned that any one found  indulged  in irregularities in the distribution of Zakat meant for the poor and needy people, would be dealt with iron hand. During the briefing the minister was informed that an amount of Rs 1,503 million had been distributed among the Mustahiqeen of NWFP during the last five years.

Similarly, Rs 269.5 million have also been distributed in the province under the permanent rehabilitation package during the last financial year among 21,572 Mustahiqeen and according to reports received from District Zakat committees, as many as 13,131 Mustahiqeen have started their business with the package’s amount.