Punjab to pay zakat via Easypaisa

LAHORE: Zakat and Ushr department of the Punjab government and Easypaisa partnered to digitally disburse Zakat funds of Rs 1.5 billion to more than 170,000 beneficiaries who have being affected by the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a statement said on Tuesday.

Easypaisa has become the first branchless banking service to provide its platform for relief efforts in this time of need. The lockdown initiated across the country to curb the spread of the coronavirus has made life difficult for individuals and families, especially the low-income segment and daily wage earners. Disbursement of the funds has been spread over 10 days to ensure social distancing. Beneficiaries across 36 districts of Punjab would be able to receive funds from over 70,000 Easypaisa retailers.

Minister for Zakat and Ushr Punjab Shoukat Ali Laleka said, “Alongside the Prime Minister’s Ehsaas programme and a host of other initiatives, this early distribution of Zakat funds is meant to facilitate people in providing every means for them to continue their daily lives with ease. Easypaisa / Telenor Microfinance Bank president and CEO said, “We will keep providing the government of Pakistan our support in these difficult times. Easypaisa is well-suited for such government-to-people transactions and we are already working with other departments and provincial governments to facilitate more of such transfers.”