PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH

AUQAF, RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, ZAKAT AND USHR DEPARTMENT

LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR

FRIDAY, THE 22^ND MAY, 2026

1020  *Ms. Farah Sohail:

Will the Minister for Auqaf, Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushrbe pleased to State: -

What measures are being taken to improve and modernize the Zakat and Ushr management?

ANSWER

MR. RIAZ HUSSAIN SHAH SHEERAZI, MINISTER FOR AUQAF, RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, ZAKAT & USHR:

Zakat &Ushr Department provides unconditional cash transfer to 110000 (On Lac Ten Thousand) Mutehqeen-e-Zakat in Sindh. Recently, Zakat Department adopted modern biometric verification as a part of its payment delivery system, wherein fingerprints are used for authentication and the beneficiaries must come individually to collect funds / payment.

This modern technique in Zakat cash transfer program has moved beyond simple fingerprinting but it is secure, contactless, and having real-time authentication, reducing fraud and financial exclusion for vulnerable population. This system is integrated with national digital IDs (NADRA) and ensures that funds reach the intended recipient directly, even in remote or conflict-affected areas.

1560  *Mr. Shariq Jamal:

Will the Minister for Auqaf, Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushrbe pleased to State:-

(a)   The audit status of District Zakat Committees during the period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025;

(b)   Whether any irregularities were found in unaudited committees?

ANSWER

MR. RIAZ HUSSAIN SHAH SHEERAZI, MINISTER FOR AUQAF, RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, ZAKAT & USHR:

The Auditor General of Pakistan Conducts annual audit of the Sindh Zakat Fund, District Zakat Fund and Local Zakat fund including the accounts of a Deducting Agency or different institutions receiving Zakat as mandated under Section-11 of Sindh Zakat &Ushr Act, 2011.

As per routine Audit cycle, the Auditor General of Pakistan audited different field formations during the period of 1.7.2024 to 30.6.2025. The audit reports were issued by the Auditor General of Pakistan, which was responded by the formations within the time limit. It is clarified that all the audit observations during the requisite period are procedural in nature and no serious irregularities were reported in the audit. The audit status of District Zakat and Ushr Committees during 1.7.2024 to 30.6.2025 are as under: -

1765  *Dr. Fouzia Hameed:

Will the Minister for Auqaf, Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushrbe pleased to State: -

(a)        How much zakat was collected and disbursed last year?

(b)        Why is zakat distribution not digitized to ensure transparency?

ANSWER

MR. RIAZ HUSSAIN SHAH SHEERAZI, MINISTER FOR AUQAF, RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, ZAKAT & USHR:

The subject of Zakat has been devolved to the provinces, however, according to the decision taken in the meeting of Council of Common Interest (CCI) on27^th July, 2012 chaired by the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs in consultation with the Chief Secretaries of all the Provinces, the collection of Zakat remained centralized with the Federal Government.  As usual, Government of Pakistan released Rs. 2,693.441 (Million) in the last year (2024-25) as Zakat funds to Provincial Zakat Fund Account No.III, State Bank of Pakistan, Karachi being share of this Province (23.71%) were of, Rs 2,506.516 (Million) weredisbursed details is at Annexure placed on the Table of the House.

The system of bio-metric verification of beneficiaries has been introduced in the Zakat system for maintaining transparency in the disbursement of Zakat funds and now the system of Zakat is completely digitalized.

1766  *Dr. Fouzia Hameed:

Will the Minister for Auqaf, Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushrbe pleased to State:-

What programs are in place to encourage unity during Muharram and Eid eventsalong with initiatives to curb hate speech and sectarian violence?

ANSWER

MR. RIAZ HUSSAIN SHAH SHEERAZI, MINISTER FOR AUQAF, RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, ZAKAT & USHR:

In order to maintain sectarian harmony in the province, meetings of the Ulemas and Mashaikhs are regularly held under the Chairmanship of Hon’able Chief Minister Sindh for maintaining peace Harmony in the month of Muharram-ul-Haram, Ramzan ul Mubarik and Rabi-ul-Awwal.

In order to pay homage to the great sacrifices of the Shuhada-e-Karbala, the Shuhada-e-Karbala Conference was held every year during the Holy month of Mohram-ul-Haram.

1767  *Dr. Fouzia Hameed:

Will the Minister for Auqaf, Religious Affairs, Zakat and Ushrbe pleased to State: -

(a)    Is it a fact that the Sindh Government provides pilgrims with amenities for the Hajj and Umrah?

(b)   What are the specifics if the response to (a) above is yes?

ANSWER

MR. RIAZ HUSSAIN SHAH SHEERAZI, MINISTER FOR AUQAF, RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS, ZAKAT & USHR:

Government of Sindh not provided pilgrims with amenities for the Hajj and Umrah. As per Entry 6 to the Federal Legislative List enumerates “pilgrimages to places beyond Pakistan” and falls under the domain of Government of Pakistan.

KARACHI:                                                               G.M UMAR FAROOQ

DATED, THE 21^ST MAY, 2026                                          SECRETARY

PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH