PESHAWAR: A major embezzlement scandal has been uncovered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa‘s Zakat Fund with funds meant for the needy being distributed among government employees instead. According to the audit report for the year 2024-25, a total of 1 crore 95 lakh rupees were disbursed under allowances to 111 government employees, including two officers in Grade 17.
The audit report revealed that about 53 lakh rupees were distributed to government workers of Grades 1 to 17. Moreover, the audit report indicated several problems with the distribution of more than 8 crore rupees from Zakat Fund. These problems included lack of transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds.
It was found out that the Zakat Fund assistance was provided to the government workers from different areas; there were three workers of the federal government, 33 workers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, six from Punjab, five from Sindh, and three from Balochistan. In total, Zakat Fund money in amount of more than 53 lakh rupees was provided to 419 government workers; their payments varied from Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000. This included employees from Grade 17, 16, and 15.
The audit report states that both serving and retired government employees were ineligible to receive Zakat allowances, as per the rules. The General Auditor has directed the recovery of all the misappropriated funds from the employees involved and recommended strict action against members of the Zakat Committees who facilitated these violations.
Additionally, the report revealed that there was illegal inclusion of government employees in district and local Zakat committees, which is a direct violation of the Zakat Act. The report also pointed out irregularities in the allocation of Rs 1.97 crore under the maintenance allowance and over Rs 4 crore in the marriage grant fund.
The findings have raised serious concerns over the misuse of the Zakat Fund, originally meant to assist the underprivileged and those in need. The General Auditor’s office has called for thorough investigations and accountability in order to prevent further misuse of public funds.
