In a stark revelation, Zakat funds worth millions of rupees intended for the needy in Mardan district were returned to the treasury unused during the fiscal year 2024-25. Official records confirm that approximately Rs 58.6 million meant for critical welfare schemes could not be distributed, highlighting significant systemic failures in the disbursement process.
Where Did the Millions Go Unspent?
A detailed breakdown of the lapsed funds paints a grim picture of missed opportunities to aid the underprivileged. According to the Zakat Department's report, substantial allocations under various heads remained untouched. The unspent amounts include Rs 422,000 for scholarships, a staggering Rs 27.99 million allocated for widows, and Rs 14.69 million for orphans. Furthermore, Rs 7.91 million for medical assistance and Rs 7.6 million for dowry support also could not reach the intended beneficiaries.
Systemic Hurdles and Administrative Delays
The reasons behind this massive underutilization point to a combination of bureaucratic delays and procedural shortcomings. For the scholarship funds, cheques were reportedly sent to educational institutions, but delays in implementation caused the funds to lapse before they could be awarded to students.
In the case of funds for widows and orphans, the department received additional money from its head office. However, officials stated that fewer applications were received than anticipated, leading to the surplus amount being sent back. The medical assistance fund faced a similar fate, as the required number of eligible patients could not be identified. Compounding this issue, the district-level tender for purchasing medicines was floated twice, but no supplier met the required standards, leaving the funds unutilized.
No Beneficiaries Found, No Action Taken
Perhaps the most concerning explanation came regarding the dowry fund. Several local Zakat committees reported that they could not find any eligible girls meeting the strict criteria for the support, resulting in those funds also remaining idle. When questioned about accountability, officials confirmed that no action was taken against any committee chairman. The department accepted written explanations from the committees which stated that no deserving individuals were found in their respective areas.
This incident raises serious questions about the outreach, awareness, and efficiency of the Zakat distribution system in Mardan. The return of such a significant sum, Rs 58.6 million, to the treasury while poverty persists underscores an urgent need for review and reform in the mechanism designed to provide essential social safety nets.
