A recent survey has revealed that in 2024, approximately 50 million Pakistanis collectively donated Rs. 619 billion ($2.19 billion) in Zakat, underscoring the nation’s deep-rooted culture of charitable giving. This substantial amount surpasses the Rs. 592 billion disbursed by the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and the Rs. 577.4 billion collected as federal excise duty during the same period. ​

The study, conducted through computer-assisted telephone interviews in partnership between the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD) and the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), indicates that the average Zakat contribution per donor was around Rs. 15,000. Notably, the total Zakat contributions also exceeded Pakistan’s official development aid received in 2022, which amounted to Rs. 376 billion.

The findings highlight a preference among Pakistanis to distribute Zakat directly to individuals rather than through state-managed mechanisms. Over two-thirds of donors opted for direct giving, while approximately 10% contributed to mosques and educational institutions, and a smaller segment supported non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

This remarkable level of charitable giving reflects the significant role of Zakat in supporting socio-economic welfare in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of transparent and efficient mechanisms to ensure effective utilization of these funds for the benefit of those in need.​