Dawn has broken the news that Jamaat-ud-Daawa received more than Rs 82 million during 2009-10 from the Punjab Government in form of grants. Even though this is for sure condemnable, however, one has to understand that this may have been done under the rules of the Social Welfare Department. On the other hand, the Government of Punjab should be careful in such matters as it will give enough fodder for foreign press especially Indian media to keep on charging that there is state level support to Lashkar-e-Tayyaba who are charged with attacking India in the Mumbai attacks.

Food for thought for both local and international media – Rs. 82 million is a paltry sum compared to the actual donations and collections Jamaat-ud-Daawa type outfits get during a year. According to insiders who are linked with collections for social welfare outfits, collection of hides at Eid-al-adha can fetch more than Rs 100 million easily. Such outfits also have tacit support in form of donations at mosques as well as general donations from people following their ideology. In essence, the Rs 82 million may be a tiny fraction of the annual resource of Jamaat-ud-Daawa. We have to strategize as to how the government can effectively monitor the funding that such outfits receive and how do they spend the same.

Punjab govt gave Rs82m to JD: papers

Dawn-June 16, 2010

LAHORE, June 15: The Punjab government gave more than Rs82 million to the Jamatud Dawa (JD) during the outgoing financial year, according to the budget documents for 2010-11.

The supplementary budget for the outgoing fiscal presented before the provincial assembly for its approval reveals that the provincial government gave a grant of Rs79 million to the Markaz-i-Tayyaba, the JD headquarters in Muridke.

Another sum of Rs3 million was given as grants to the schools run by the JD in the different districts of Punjab, according to the supplementary budget 2009-10.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan admitted to having given the money to the JD.

He told DawnNews on Tuesday that the money was given to these institutions after the organisation was banned (following the Mumbai attacks on Nov 26, 2008) and administrator was appointed by the government.

The purpose of giving this grant, he said, was to continue the welfare services provided by the organisation’s sc hools, dispensaries and hospitals.

A Punjab government spokesman denied having given money to the JD. He clarified that the grant had been given to the administrator for welfare

lahore, june 15: the punjab government gave more than rs82 million to the jamatud dawa (jd) during the outgoing financial year, ac- cording to the budget docu- ments for 2010-11. the supplementary budget for the outgoing fiscal presen- ted before the provincial as- sembly for its approval reveals that the provincial government gave a grant of rs79 million to the markaz-i-tayyaba, the jd headquarters in muridke. another sum of rs3 million was given as grants to the schools run by the jd in the different districts of punjab, according to the supplementa- ry budget 2009-10. punjab law minister rana sanaullah khan admitted to having given the money to the jd. he told dawnnews on tuesday that the money was given to these institutions af- ter the organisation was ban- ned (following the mumbai attacks on nov 26, 2008) and administrator was appointed by the government. the purpose of giving this grant, he said, was to contin- ue the welfare services provi- ded by the organisation’s sc hools, dispensaries and hospi- tals. a punjab government spokesman denied having given money to the jd. he clarified that the grant had been given to the adminis- trator for welfare

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