Pakistan Baitul Mal MD resigns

LAHORE: Pakistan Baitul Mal MD Tariq Mehmoodul Hasan has resigned from his post.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar had issued orders for the appointment of Tariq Mehmood-ul-Hasan as the MD of Pakistan Baitul-Mal after the approval of cabinet on February 15. The caretaker cabinet also exempted Tariq Mehmoodul Hasan from security clearance and approval of the Election Commission for the appointment.

Syed Tariq Mehmoodul Hasan has also been close to PTI founder Imran Khan and was appointed as Chairman Overseas Pakistanis Commission, Punjab.

Federal Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Secretary Yusuf Khan has sent a summary to the prime minister to de-notify Tariq Mehmoodul Hasan. The summary stated that Tariq Mahmoodul Hasan was appointed as MD of Pakistan Bait Al-Mal for two years on an honorary basis after the approval of the federal cabinet under Section 9(1) of the Pakistan Bait Al-Mal Act. Cabinet approval should be sought to de-notify him from this post.

In this regard, the prime minister is requested to seek approval of the federal cabinet through circulation summary to de-notify Syed Tariq Mahmood Al Hasan as MD Baitul Mal under the Rules of Business 1973.

MD Baitul-Mal’s seat was vacant for 5 months before the appointment of Tariq Mehmoodul Hasan, due to which 2,400 hearing-impaired children are awaiting help for treatment. These children were given Rs one million each as aid for treatment.

Similarly, a large number of cancer patients are also deprived of treatment due to the non-appointment of MD Baitul Mal as they are to be given aid of Rs1.5 million each from Baitul Mal, sources said. They said that at present, the Ministry has Rs 3.5 bn for health assistance to the poor and sick and its distribution can only be authorized by MD Baitul Mal.