An investigation committee has pointed out frauds worth millions of rupees in the Zakat fund and recommended action against officials involved in the corrupt practice.
An investigation committee formed in October 2024 recently completed its findings, sources said, pointing out the alleged frauds committed by several officials of the district administration and the local chairman of the Zakat committee.
After receiving information about the misuse of the fund, a preliminary inquiry was ordered pointing out the alleged corrupt practices. “Later, we referred the matter to the FIA for a proper investigation,” said Chief Commissioner Mohammad Ali Randhawa.
Speaking to Dawn, he said the fund was for deserving and non-privileged individuals; “Therefore, I personally observed the investigation,” he said. “The FIA will investigate the matter properly and take strict action against anyone found guilty,” he said.
According to sources, reports of misuse of Zakat funds involving some government officials, as well as the establishment of 185 allegedly illegal local Zakat committees, emerged in October.
Later, the Chief Commissioner formed a fact-finding committee and ordered an inquiry into the matter. After investigating the matter and recording the statements of the officials concerned, the committee recommended that the matter be referred to the FIA.
The investigation report has been shared with the Ministry of Interior for submission to the Federal Investigation Agency for a “detailed investigation into the corrupt practices of the Islamabad Zakat and Ushr Committee and criminal prosecution of persons involved in embezzlement of Zakat funds.”
The Zakat and Ushr Committee has been formed to monitor the performance and functioning of the Islamabad Zakat and Ushr Committee. The committee recommended the establishment of a Provincial Zakat Council as per Section 14 of the Ushr Ordinance.
It stated that the Islamabad Zakat and Ushr Committee and the regional committees may be suspended, an administrator may be appointed immediately, elections must be held within six months, and the current officers may be disqualified.
The report also mentioned a special audit to determine the amount misappropriated. The report stated that a stenotypist was asked to join the investigation but he did not join and recommended that a case be initiated for his dismissal.
It stated that the District Zakat Officer was responsible for securing the records of the Zakat Office but records related to several committees were missing and that the officer did not have the authority to form the regional committee but he had misused his authority to form eight committees.
It further revealed that an officer of the District Zakat Office working in the administrative wing of the Chief Commissioner’s Office could be sent back to his department.
There were also allegations against the Audit Officer, but without any documentary evidence. However, the report stated that he could be directed to conduct a complete internal audit of the regional Zakat committees, hospitals and institutions to which the fund was allocated and submit the report within two months. It also stated that the audit report received later should be compared with the external audit report.
The report also recommended a forensic audit of “forged checks to verify the writing and signature of the [IZUC] chairman.”
The inquiry committee recommended that the District Zakat Officer’s office be renovated and officers be permanently appointed to run the office efficiently, and that vacant posts be filled on a priority basis.
“Finally, efforts should be made to verify beneficiaries through biometric records in consultation with NADRA, to ensure transparency in the distribution of Zakat funds to the appropriate persons and to prevent corrupt practices,” the report concluded.
