NA panel approves Zakat and Ushr bill
The committee chaired by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, convened its meeting at the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) headquarters, to deliberate on key issues related to the social protection systems in the country.
The subcommittee 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 committee also approved the Zakat and Ushr (Amendment) Bill 2025, presented by Shazia Marri, MNA, marking a significant legislative milestone to improve the distribution of Zakat funds.
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 BISP chairperson 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Civil servants required to declare assets
Any person who files tax return after the end of due dates would be treated as a late filer and separate rates on the purchase or disposal of immovable property would apply to him. photo: AFP The federal government has fulfilled another key condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by making the assets of public officials public. Now government officers from Grade 17 and above will be required to file their own and their family's assets digitally. With the president's approval, the Civil Servants (Amendment) Act 2025 has been issued via gazette notification. The Establishment Division has also forwarded the notification to all federal ministries and divisions. A new Section 15-A has been added to the Civil Servants Act 1973, which states that the details of government officials' assets will be made public through the Federal Board of Revenue. Officers will be required to disclose their domestic and foreign assets as well as their financial standing. The confidentiality of any officer's personal information will be maintained. Earlier this week, the government imposed new taxes on the public in line with IMF conditions. It has introduced a petroleum climate support levy with an additional climate levy of Rs2.50 per liter on petrol, diesel, and kerosene.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Civil appeals: Justice Ejaz questions IHC DB ruling
ISLAMABAD: Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan, a judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) raised questions over the decision of a IHC division bench order that after the Civil Courts (Amendment) Act, 2025, now the district judges would hear the civil appeals instead of the High Court. A division bench of IHC comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Inaam Amin Minhas had declared it in a civil reference titled, 'The Civil Courts (Amendment) Act, 2025 and Transfer of Appeals from Islamabad High Court to District Judges (East) & (West), Islamabad, in pursuance thereof.' During the hearing, Justice Ishaq summoned the additional registrar and remarked that a bench of two junior judges was formed and all cases were sent back to the district courts. He added that this decision should have been made in a full court meeting to determine whether the cases were to be heard by the High Court or sent to the district courts. Justice Ishaq maintained that even the opinions of the judges hearing the appeals were not sought. He remarked that the cases have been heard for four years, many were 80 per cent completed and now they have been abruptly sent to the district courts by the judges who had joined the IHC three months ago. He further said that now, the district courts will start rehearing the cases, which will cause difficulties for the litigants and they will have to pay fees again. In this matter, the IHC Office moved the instant reference and attached a list of cases pertaining to Regular First Appeals filed against the decrees or orders passed by learned Civil Judges working under the administrative control of the IHC. The list contained 1594 RFAs, which is stated to be tentative. The questions formulated in the reference were included whether amendment made in Section 18 is a matter of procedure and had retrospective effect? and whether High Court can transfer pending appeals to the District Judges on its own motion without notice to the parties to the list?. Justice Azam, who authored the judgment, said that the power of High Court delegated under Section 24, CPC, is further fortified in the judgment passed in Khan Muhammad and others Vs Ishtiaq Hussain reported as 1987 SCMR 1482. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
NA body voices its concern over escalating poverty rate
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety expressed serious concern over the country's escalating poverty rate - now nearing 50 percent and highlighted persistent inefficiencies at the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries' point-of-sale camps where beneficiaries face undue hardship. The committee meeting presided over by Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, was convened to evaluate and expedite the transition of social protection mechanisms towards a more transparent, technology-driven system with minimal human intervention. Talpur contextualised Pakistan's social protection framework and emphasised the original intent of the income support mechanism: to minimise human intervention in the disbursement of financial assistance, thereby, ensuring dignity and transparency. The committee noted with dissatisfaction the delay in launching the digital banking pilot project, which was initially scheduled for rollout by June. In response, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) official stated that while most technical and backend components have been completed, the remaining procedural approvals are in their final stages. The pilot is now expected to launch by the end of the current month. The initiative will integrate formal banking channels, leveraging geotagged branches and simplified account-opening procedures developed in collaboration with the BISP. The SBP conveyed its assurance that the project—developed over the past year—would be operational within a week, with the first beneficiary accounts to be opened by 15 August 2025. Initially, the pilot will be implemented in seven districts and one additional district of Muzaffargarh, followed by a six-month evaluation (two quarters) to assess outcomes before scaling it nationwide. To improve access and efficiency, SBP plans to expand ATM networks, implement a staggered distribution mechanism to reduce congestion, and gradually introduce digital wallets. Biometric verification will serve as the primary method of authentication, with debit cards issued only where fingerprints are unreadable. The banking industry is now fully onboard, and API integration testing is nearing completion. Two-factor authentication mechanisms are also under consideration to further secure payments. The committee members expressed concern regarding the treatment of beneficiaries at bank branches and campsites. The Acting Governor SBP reiterated its commitment to safeguarding customer dignity and ensuring access to full banking services, including interoperability and secure fund transfers. The committee discussions also underscored the need to integrate cellular networks mobile repository data through the Pakistan Telecommunication Author-ity (PTA) to enhance biometric reliability and reach. On the institutional front, BISP reported that out of 3,486 sanctioned posts; only 2,347 are currently filled, with only 1,858 positions currently held by BISP regular staff. The committee was informed that excessive reliance on deputation staff compromises institutional continuity and drives up operational costs. The Finance Division clarified that recruitment policy falls under the Cabinet and Establishment Division's purview. As Pakistan remains under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, hiring decisions must comply with fiscal and administrative frameworks. The committee urged BISP to engage with the Establishment Division and Finance Ministry to address the staffing shortfall. It was mutually agreed that a coordinated approach is required to ensure timely resolution. Additionally, BISP will relocate offices to underserved tehsils such as Munda and Balambat to improve accessibility. The meeting concluded with a consensus to expedite the pilot rollout, while maintaining strict oversight to uphold transparency, protect beneficiary rights, and integrate vulnerable populations into formal banking systems. The committee was attended by the following Members of the National Assembly: Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, Ahmad AteeqAnwer, Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Muhammad Bashir Khan, Jamshaid Ahmad, Misbahuddin, Shahid Usman, Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar, Shafqat Abbas, Mohammad Ilyas Choudhary, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali and whereas, Aniqa Mehdi attended the meeting virtually. The federal secretary of Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, and senior officers of the Ministry Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Finance, Planning Development and Special Initiatives and representatives from its allied departments, including BISP, PPAF and TVO were also in attendance. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
