A recent survey by the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD) and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has revealed a remarkable show of generosity in Pakistan. Over 50 million Pakistanis contributed an estimated Rs619 billion ($2.19 billion) in Zakat during 2024, averaging about Rs15,000 per donor.
This impressive figure not only reflects the deep-rooted culture of charitable giving in the country but also surpasses the disbursements made under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as well as the federal excise duty collected by the government during the same time period.
One of the most significant findings of the report is that a majority of Zakat recipients are women, underlining the essential role this Islamic charitable practice plays in supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities, particularly female-led households.
The findings emphasize how private philanthropy in Pakistan continues to fill critical gaps in the country’s social safety net and provide relief where formal mechanisms may fall short. As economic pressures grow, the impact of these contributions becomes even more crucial.
