A severe Zakat crisis in Rawalpindi has left nearly 10,000 deserving families without financial assistance for the past 10 months, creating serious humanitarian and social concerns. The prolonged delay in fund release has disrupted essential support systems, particularly affecting widows, orphans, patients, and students from low-income households.
According to reports, the government has not released funds to the Rawalpindi Zakat Council during this period, resulting in a complete halt of monthly stipends ranging from Rs2,000 to Rs3,000. The crisis has also impacted healthcare services, with patients unable to receive financial aid for critical treatments such as dialysis, surgeries, and eye operations. In some cases, delays in assistance have reportedly led to tragic outcomes.
The situation has further worsened due to administrative challenges, as district Zakat committees have not been properly formed for the past three years. Currently, more than 1,100 local committees remain dissolved, with temporary administrators handling limited operations. This lack of structure has weakened the overall Zakat distribution system.
Education has also suffered, as many students from underprivileged families have been forced to drop out due to unpaid fees and discontinued stipends. Meanwhile, the absence of Eid support during Eidul Fitr has raised concerns that similar issues may persist for Eidul Azha.
To manage the crisis, authorities have turned to local donors and philanthropists for temporary relief, but these efforts are insufficient to meet the growing needs. Officials have stated that funds are expected to be released before Eidul Azha, which could help clear pending payments.
This ongoing crisis highlights serious gaps in Pakistan’s welfare system and underscores the urgent need for reforms to ensure timely support for the most vulnerable segments of society.
