According to the researchers Pakistan has strong traditions of volunteering and giving, deeply rooted in the Islamic faith of its people.
Charity is a central tenet of Islam, which lays great emphasis on supporting the needy and poor. Although philanthropy is preached and encouraged in other religions also, Islam makes it obligatory in the form of Zakat—one of the five pillars of the faith. The beneficiaries of Zakat are mentioned in the Quran – the poor, the needy, those employed to administer it, those hearts are made to incline (to truth), (to free) the captives, those in debt, and in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer. This list of beneficiaries binds Muslims to each other, and shows the notion of social responsibility and civic duty. Thus, researchers also recorded that charity in Islam is not only a form of worship; it also links humans to each other through their obligations to God. Around the world no doubt, Charity plays a huge part in everyday life for Muslims. Assisting those less fortunate than ourselves by giving up free time is one way, but donating Zakat and ongoing charity are just some of the many ways that Islamic teachings prioritize charity in the wider world. Furthermore, zakat is an obligatory form of charity, based on an individual’s personal wealth, and must be donated to assist those who are in need of a helping hand. Zakat is calculated based on what we have that is over and above our own basic needs and ensures that nobody goes without. By definition, Zakat means to purify your wealth in this world by giving to those less fortunate. By contrast, Sadaqah Jariyah is a form of ongoing voluntary charity that helps recipients build a better future also offering them with relief in the present. Instead of simply donating food and water, to give Sadaqah Jariyah offers recipients with the opportunity to create an income for their families on a much longer-term basis.
| Pakistan: Disbursement Of Zakat (Rs million) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Federal Areas/ Provinces | % Share | Allocated/Released Budget2020-21 |
| Federal Areas | 7% of total Zakat Collection is distributed amongst federal Areas | |
| ICT | 35.14% of 7% | 152.271 |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | 18.57 % of 7% | 80.469 |
| KPK (FATA) | 46.29 % of 7% | 200.587 |
| Total Federal | 433.327 | |
| Provincial | Share of provinces after deduction of above federal payments | |
| Punjab | 57.36 % of 93 % | 3,302.240 |
| Sindh | 23.71 % of 93 % | 1,364.995 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 13.82% of 93 % | 795.623 |
| Balochistan | 5.11 % of 93 % | 294.185 |
| Total Provincial | 5,757.043 | |
| G. Total | 6,190.370 | |
| Source: Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division | ||
According to the government of Pakistan officials Zakat is an important institution in an Islamic economic framework for poverty alleviation and economic welfare. Zakat has emerged as the government’s central programme of social safety instruments. However, its potential and scope in fighting poverty is yet to be fully realized. The federal government is responsible for the collection of Zakat and its distribution to the provinces/federal areas in accordance with the Zakat distribution formula approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI). A total amount of Rs 6,190.37 million has been distributed during FY2022. Statistics showed that the present government of Pakistan has fixed Nisab of Zakat for the Zakat year 1443-44 A.H at Rs103,159 for deduction of Zakat from Saving Bank Accounts, Profit and Loss Sharing Accounts and other similar accounts. In this regard, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Security issued a notification dated March 17, 2023 to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Zakat Collection Controlling Agencies. As per government officials Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) was organized for assistance to destitute and needy widows, orphan, invalid, infirm and such other persons and thereby save from hardship and suffering and to enable them to lead an honorable life in the society. Statistics showed that during FY2022, Rs 6.505 billion has been allocated to PBM for core projects/schemes. Different sources recorded that people of Pakistan tend to refer to themselves as a very charitable nation, and one that becomes even more so during this Islamic month of Ramazan. The Pakistan Centre of Philanthropy’s (PCP) survey research from 2021 identified that approximately 84 percent of all respondents give charity in some form, with average amounts of about Rs10,000 per annum.
Forthcoming survey-based work with colleagues Max Gallien and Vanessa van den Boogard also identified that upwards of 70 percent of all eligible respondents report paying zakat in our country, validating this larger trend.
Furthermore, there is some reason to believe that charity is assisting those afflicted through the current cost of living crisis. Various charitable organisations are offers food ration drives, food kitchens, free iftars, and providing other, in-kind support. The PCP survey also identified that only 30 percent of giving is directed towards households or persons that are not known personally. In last I would like to mention here, establishing a sasta bazaar or distributing bags of wheat flour does not constitute an effective response to what is an unprecedented crisis or it is not long term strategy to remove poverty or help people in the country. Ultimately, there is a need to expand income support, enhance the public distribution system, offer career opportunities and labour guarantees, and to pick up the slack on basic consumption expenditure for millions of households that are clearly struggling to put food on the table.