Govt Announces Zakat Nisab for 2026 – New Threshold Set at Rs 503,529

Government Announces Zakat Nisab for 2026: What Pakistanis Need to Know

The Government of Pakistan has officially announced the Zakat nisab for the year 2026 (1446–1447 A.H.), setting the minimum threshold for automatic Zakat deduction from bank accounts at Rs 503,529. This decision was made ahead of Ramadan 2026, with the aim of ensuring that Zakat collection and distribution are efficient and reflect current economic conditions.

🕌 What Is Zakat Nisab and Why Does It Matters

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam — a mandatory annual payment designed to support the needy and vulnerable in society. The nisab is the minimum amount of wealth or savings a person must have before Zakat becomes payable. Traditionally, this threshold is linked to the value of precious metals like silver and gold, and it’s reviewed annually to account for changes in market prices and inflation.

📊 Nisab for 2026: Key Details

• The Zakat nisab for 2026 has been fixed at Rs 503,529. This means that Zakat will only be deducted from bank accounts that hold this amount or more on the specified deduction date.

• No Zakat will be deducted from accounts with a balance below Rs 503,529 on that date.

• The increase is significant compared to last year’s nisab of Rs 179,689, reflecting rising prices of commodities and economic shifts in the country.

📅 Deduction Date & Procedure

• The first day of Ramadan has been designated as the official “Deduction Date” for calculating Zakat eligibility. Based on astronomical predictions and moon sighting, this is expected to fall on February 19 or 20, 2026.

• Zakat will be automatically deducted from savings accounts, profit-and-loss sharing accounts, and similar deposit accounts that meet the nisab threshold by this date.

• All banks and financial institutions have been instructed to carry out these deductions and deposit the amounts promptly into the Central Zakat Account maintained with the State Bank of Pakistan (Account No. CZ-08).

• The State Bank of Pakistan has also announced a “Bank Holiday” on the first day of Ramadan to facilitate the smooth processing of Zakat deductions, meaning banks will remain closed for public transactions on that day.

🤝 Impact and What to Do

For account holders, this announcement is a reminder to check bank balances and ensure that if your account meets the threshold and you do not qualify for exemptions under Shariah law, you are prepared for the automatic deduction. Those eligible for exemptions should contact their financial institutions in advance to avoid unintended deductions.