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BALOCHISTAN ZAKAT AND USHR BALOCHISTAN ZAKAT AND USHR ACT, 2012 An Act to make provisions relating to the assessment, collection and disbursement of Zakat and Ushr [Gazette of Balochistan, Extraordinary, 27th March, 2012] No.PAB/Legis:V(01)/2012, dated 27-3-2012.---Having been passed the Balochistan Zakat and Ushr Bill No.1 of 2012, by the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan on 20th March, 2012 and assented to by the Governor, Balochistan on 22nd March, 2012 is hereby published as an Act of the Balochistan Provincial Assembly. Preamble.--Whereas it is necessary to make provisions relating to the assessment, collection and disbursement of Zakat and Ushr and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. And whereas Zakat, including Ushr, is one of the fundamental pillars (Arkan) of Islam; and prime objective of the collection of Zakat and Ushr, and disbursements therefrom, is to assist the needy, the indigent and the poor; And whereas the rates of Zakat and Ushr, as also the purposes for the utilization of Zakat and Ushr, are specified in Shariah; and And whereas Shariah enjoins all Muslims who are Sahib-e-Nisab to pay, and the State to arrange for the proper collection, disbursement and utilization of Zakat and Ushr, and also allows such Muslims to disburse for the purposes authorized by Shariah the part thereof not collected by the State; It is hereby enacted as follows:-- CHAPTER-IV ZAKAT FUNDS 12. Balochistan Provincial Zakat Council.--(1) The Government shall establish Balochistan Provincial Zakat Council by notification in the official Gazette, to exercise general superintendence and control over matters relating to Zakat and Ushr, particularly the Zakat Funds in the Province and the maintenance of their accounts, in accordance with the policy guidelines given by the Provincial Zakat Council. (2) The Balochistan Provincial Zakat Council shall consist of - (a) A Chairman; (b) Six persons, of whom three shall be Ulema, to be nominated by the Government; (c) Two women, who shall not be less than forty-five (45) years of age, to be nominated by the Government; (d) The Secretary to the Provincial Government in the Finance Department; (e) The Secretary to the Government in the Local Government Department; (f) The Secretary to the Government in the Social Welfare Department; and (g) The Secretary to the Government in Religious Affairs and inter Faith Harmony Department; (h) The Chief Administrator, who shall also be the Secretary of the Council. (3) The Government shall appoint a retired Judge of the High Court as Chairman of the Council. (4) The Chairman and members of the Council, not being an ex officio member, shall hold office for a term of three years, and shall be eligible for re-appointment. (5) The Chairman or a member, not being ex-officio member may, by writing under his hand, addressed to Chief Minister resign his office. (6) Subject to subsection (5) the Chairman or, as the case may be, a member shall continue to hold office until his resignation is accepted by the Chief Minister. (7) Any vacancy in the office of Chairman or member, other than an ex-officio member, shall be filled by nomination, in accordance with subsection (2) or subsection (3) as the case may be, of a person qualified to hold the office. (8) The Chairman or the member nominated under subsection (7) shall hold office for the unexpired term of his predecessor.