Thousands of deserving people in Punjab are at risk of being deprived of Zakat money this year as the federal government has deducted Rs810 million from the Zakat Fund of the province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

According to the official sources, Punjab has received less funds than last year from the federal government under the head of Zakat for deserving people.

During the last financial year, the federal government had given funds worth Rs4.275 billion to Punjab, whereas, the province has received only Rs3.460 billion this year.

The federal government has deducted Rs340 million from the Guzara Allowance Fund.

It has deducted Rs31 million from the budget for the students of religious seminaries.

It has also deducted Rs200 million from the budget of scholarships for the children of deserving people.

The Punjab Zakat and Ushr Department has informed the provincial government about the provision of less funds from the federal government.

It has also requested the Punjab government to release an additional amount of Rs1 billion.