Rangers rounded up at least 16 workers of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) for forceful collection of Fitra.The rangers said the arrested political workers will be produced before court today. Reacting to the arrests, the MQM’s Coordination Committee issued an overnight press release saying that Zakat and Fitra is being declared as extortion money.Muttahida’s main decision-making body raised question, “Under which law, the collection of Zakat and Fitra for welfare works is a crime? The services and welfare activities of Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF)—a charitable organization run by MQM are afoot by dint of these donations.” According to a spokesperson for the paramilitary force, the personnel detained 16 MQM workers, who were ‘forcibly’ collecting Fitra, in Rizvia Society late Wednesday night. At least Rs31,500 in cash and 1,000 chits of Fitra were seized from their custody.Forcible collection of charity by any party or organisation cannot be condoned. The very idea behind charity is that it should be a voluntary act. Hence efforts by the state to crack down on forcible collection of funds are positive. However, the campaign must be across the board and should not be directed at a single party. The state should also keep a close watch on extremist outfits that use the mosque and madressah to collect funds in the name of religion. There is very little accountability of these funds, which can very easily end up in the hands of hate groups or outfits that promote violence and militancy. Pakistanis are known for their philanthropy as it is, and people should be free to decide who they want to give charity or religious dues to, without any sort of duress or coercion.
pk.shafaqna.com
