NA Committee approves Zakat, Ushr Bill, strengthens BISP oversight

March 04, 2025 (MLN): The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety approved the Zakat and Ushr (Amendment) Bill 2025, presented by Ms. Shazia Marri, MNA, marking a significant legislative milestone to improve the distribution of Zakat funds.

The committee constituted a subcommittee to strengthen oversight of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP)'s newly proposed payment disbursement model.

Chaired by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, the committee convened its meeting at the BISP headquarters to deliberate on key issues related to the country’s social protection systems.

The subcommittee formed includes Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar (Convenor), Ahmad Atteeq Anwar, Ms. Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, and Mr. Mohammad Ilyas Choudhary.

It will monitor the implementation of the payment model to ensure transparency, efficiency, and fairness.

MNA Ahmed Atteeq Anwar presented a comprehensive briefing on the subcommittee’s previous findings, which were unanimously endorsed by the committee for their meticulous approach.

The committee expressed concern over the unexplained absence of the Secretary of the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, directing that all future absences be formally communicated in writing well in advance.

The Managing Director of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) briefed the committee on the organization’s operational framework and upcoming nationwide awareness campaign.

He announced a collaborative food distribution initiative with 33 private vendors and invited committee members to visit PBM’s responsive call center.

The Chairperson of BISP raised concerns about the lack of a dedicated BISP cadre and the staff shortage due to the government’s recruitment ban since 2012, compelling the organization to rely heavily on deputationists.

The committee directed the Secretary of BISP to submit a comprehensive staffing proposal to the government.

The committee instructed the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division to provide a detailed technical and legal briefing on the proposed amendments to the Memorandum of Association of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF).

This briefing must take place before any decision is made on its transformation into a State-Owned Enterprise, as APP reported.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, Misbah Uddin, Mohammad Ilyas Choudhary, Awais Haider Jakhar, Ms. Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Ms. Aniqa Mehdi, Arshad Abdullah Vohra, and Jamshaid Ahmad.

Additionally, Adil Khan Bazai, Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar, Shafqat Abbas, Shahid Usman, and Shazia Marri attended the meeting virtually.

Senior officials from the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division, BISP, PBM, and PPAF were also present at the meeting.

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