Dhaka, March 7 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has unveiled a bold vision to transform Zakat into a powerful tool for poverty eradication, stressing that alms must empower recipients to stand on their own rather than remain dependent.

Speaking at an Iftar gathering for orphans and Islamic scholars at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday, Tarique highlighted the untapped potential of Bangladesh's Zakat collection.

"Research indicates that Tk 200-250 billion is collected in Zakat annually, yet the question remains: how much truly reaches the needy and lifts them from poverty?" he said.

He proposed a planned, target-oriented system in which underprivileged families could receive Tk 50,000-100,000 annually from a central fund.

"If ex...