How to Calculate Zakat in Pakistan: Nisab, Gold, Cash & Bank Deduction
Zakat is due when your net zakatable wealth stays at or above the Nisab for one lunar year. Add cash, bank balances, gold, silver, investments and business stock, subtract debts due now, and pay 2.5%. In Pakistan most scholars advise using the silver Nisab of 612.36 grams (52.5 tola), which brings more people into giving and benefits the poor.
- Rate: 2.5% of net zakatable wealth.
- Silver Nisab 612.36 g (52.5 tola); gold Nisab 87.48 g (7.5 tola).
- Personal home, car, furniture and clothes are not zakatable.
- Gold jewellery is zakatable according to the Hanafi school followed by most Pakistanis.
- Banks deduct Zakat from savings accounts on 1 Ramadan unless you submit a CZ-50 declaration.
Step 1: Fix your Zakat date
Your Zakat year starts on the Islamic date when your wealth first reached the Nisab. Many people use 1 Ramadan for convenience. On the same date every lunar year, calculate your wealth and pay Zakat if it is still above the Nisab.
Step 2: List zakatable assets
| Asset | Include? | Value at |
|---|---|---|
| Cash, bank, mobile wallets | Yes | Balance on Zakat date |
| Gold & silver (incl. jewellery) | Yes | Today's selling rate |
| Shares, mutual funds | Yes | Market value |
| Savings certificates, prize bonds | Yes | Face/encashment value |
| Business stock | Yes | Current sale value |
| Money lent you expect back | Yes | Amount owed |
| Own house, car, furniture | No | — |
| Plot bought to sell for profit | Yes | Market value |
Step 3: Subtract what you owe now
Deduct debts and bills that are due — such as unpaid rent, utility bills, a credit-card balance or instalments due this month. For long-term loans like a house loan, most scholars allow deducting only the instalments currently due, not the whole outstanding balance.
Step 4: Compare with Nisab and pay 2.5%
Silver Nisab in rupees = 612.36 × today's silver rate per gram. If your net wealth is at or above this figure, multiply it by 0.025. Example: net wealth Rs. 780,000 × 2.5% = Rs. 19,500.
Bank Zakat deduction in Pakistan
Under the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance 1980, banks deduct 2.5% from savings and profit-bearing accounts on 1 Ramadan if the balance is above the Nisab announced by the government. Current accounts are exempt. If you prefer to pay Zakat yourself, submit a Zakat declaration (Form CZ-50, attested as required) to your bank before Ramadan. Any amount the bank deducts counts towards your Zakat.
Who can receive Zakat
The Qur'an (9:60) lists eight categories, including the poor, the needy, those in debt and travellers in difficulty. Zakat cannot be given to your parents, grandparents, children or spouse, but it can go to siblings, nephews, uncles and other relatives in need.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zakat due on gold jewellery that women wear?
According to the Hanafi school, followed by most Pakistanis, yes — Zakat is due on gold and silver jewellery whether it is worn or not, if total wealth is above the Nisab.
Should I use gold or silver Nisab?
Most scholars in Pakistan recommend the silver Nisab because it is lower, so more people pay Zakat and more of the poor benefit. Ask a scholar you trust if unsure.
Is Zakat due on salary?
Not on salary itself. It is due on whatever savings remain above the Nisab on your Zakat date.
Written and fact-checked by the PakCalc editorial team against the sources below. Rules change — if you spot something out of date, please tell us.