MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani has dissolved the Zakat Council, removing around 3,000 discretionary appointments.
The move came as his government moves ahead with administrative and financial reforms.
According to reports, those removed include the chairman and members of the Zakat Council, chairmen of Zakat committees in 10 districts, constituency-level chairmen, and around 2,300 chairmen of local Zakat committees.
The chairman and members of the Ulema and Mashaikh Council are also being removed, while the relevant summary has been forwarded to the prime minister. Tajweed-ul-Quran coordinator is also being removed.
Earlier, those appointed to discretionary posts on the Chairman Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission, the Investment Board, and the Cultural Academy were removed.
Govt to downsize Zakat Dept
Furthermore, the government is also considering major restructuring and downsizing of the Zakat and Ushr Department as part of efforts to reduce administrative expenditure.
According to reports, the department generates annual income of around Rs300 million while its expenditure exceeds Rs350 million.
An in-principle decision has been taken to offer a one-time separation package, described as a golden handshake, to 256 employees as part of the proposed restructuring.
