Call to channel Zakat into education for a sustainable future

KARACHI: Prominent philanthropists and business leaders in Pakistan have been urged to redirect a portion of the country’s charitable Zakat donations toward education to foster long-term national development.

At an iftar gathering in Karachi, organizers highlighted that while Pakistan ranks among the world’s most generous societies, much of the billions of rupees donated annually in Zakat and charity is spent on immediate relief such as food distribution, medical aid, and disaster response.

Speakers emphasized that temporary aid alone cannot build a strong, self-sufficient nation.

Citing historical examples, they pointed to Islamic institutions like Baghdad’s House of Wisdom and Al-Azhar University in Egypt, which were established through charitable endowments and became global centers of learning and innovation.

Habib University officials said allocating Zakat toward structured scholarships and permanent educational funds could create lasting benefits, noting that over 85 per cent of its students currently rely on financial support, much of it from faith-based donations.

The event featured speeches honoring the vision of the late Rafiq M. Habib, Quran recitations, and calls for structured philanthropic investment in higher education.

Habib University President Wasif Rizvi described education as the “permanent power” that complements immediate aid. Bashir Ali Muhammad, founder of the Gul Ahmed Group, said strong institutions represent a nation’s real wealth and require collective support.

The gathering concluded with a formal dinner, emphasizing the message that while Zakat meets today’s needs, investing it in education can shape Pakistan’s future for generations to come.