ISLAMABAD: An inquiry committee pointed outembezzlementsto the tune of millions of rupees in the Zakat fund and recommended action against officials involved in the corrupt practice.
Sources said that an inquiry committee, which was formed in October 2024, recently completed its finding, pointing out alleged embezzlement 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 that pointed out alleged corrupt practices. “Subsequently, we referred the matter to FIA for a proper probe,” said Chief Commissioner Mohammad Ali Randhawa.
Speaking to Dawn, he said that the fund was meant for deserving and underprivileged people; therefore, I personally monitored the inquiry,“ he said. “The FIA will properly probe the matter, and anyone found guilty would face strict action,” he said.
Commissioner says matter referred to FIA after preliminary inquiry; investigators propose external audit
According to sources, reports about misappropriation in the Zakat fund involving certain government officials as well as the formation of 185 alleged illegal local zakat committees surfaced in October.
Subsequently, the chief commissioner ordered an inquiry into the matter by forming a preliminary fact-finding body. The committee after probing the matter and recording statements of the officials concerned recommended that the matter be referred to the FIA.
The inquiry report has been shared with the interior ministry for its onward submission to the Federal Investigation Agency for a “detailed inquiry into the corrupt practices in the Islamabad Zakat and Ushr Committee and initiating criminal proceedings against the persons found involved in the embezzlement of Zakat funds”.
The committee recommended that a provincial Zakat Council should be established as per section 14 of the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance to supervise the performance and matters of the Islamabad Zakat and Ushr Committee.
