Punjab Announces Massive Reduction in Marriage Grant for Poor Families

The Punjab Zakat and Ushr Council has announced a major revision to its welfare initiatives, halving the marriage grant for deserving families from Rs. 1 lac to Rs.. 50,000.

In a significant setback for many, the department failed to distribute Eid al-Fitr Zakat aid this year. Officials have promised that Eid gifts will be provided to registered recipients ahead of Eid al-Azha.

The council, chaired by Rana Manawar Hussain, also approved the provision of electronic motorbikes and scooters to students from Zakat-eligible families. A sub-committee has been formed to finalise the details and allocate necessary funds.

However, serious concerns were raised over the department’s performance. Local Zakat committees remain unformed across the province, subsistence allowances and scholarships have not been disbursed for over 13 months, and aid for blind individuals and leprosy patients has been suspended.

Government hospitals, left without Zakat support, have halted free treatments, surgeries, and dialysis — tragically leading to the reported deaths of several low-income patients.

Despite these issues, the council approved immediate provincial-level Zakat distributions for education and healthcare, with increased funding under the Ta’leef-e-Qulub programme.

Additionally, the distribution of subsistence allowances through local committees before Eid al-Azha was agreed upon, while employment terms for department staff have been referred to a sub-committee for further review.

Chairman Rana Manawar Hussain reaffirmed that future Zakat distributions will be carried out through JazzCash and Jazz Wallet, ensuring merit and transparency.