LAHORE: Poverty alleviation is the government’s top priority, Minister for Baitul Maal Chaudhry Muhammad Ijaz Shafi told a delegation at his residence on Sunday. Ijaz said the government wanted to rehabilitate the poor on a permanent basis. He said the government had increased the budget for the Baitul Maal and doubled grants for the needy. Ijaz said that about Rs 65 million had been distributed among the needy, adding that more funds would be provided to the chairmen of district Baitul Maal committees to help the poor. He said that transparency in the distribution of funds was being ensured.