The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Friday called for the early distribution of Zakat – the obligatory annual charity in Islam – to support those with low income and most vulnerable to an imminent economic slowdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.The CII, a constitutionally established religious advisory body for parliament, urged the rich to give their zakat, which accounts for 2.5% of the total yearly savings in the form of cash, gold or silver, earlier than usual.Zakat is traditionally given in the Islamic lunar month of Ramazan which will begin this year in the last week of April."In view of the present situation, it is better to distribute zakat earlier than usual," the CII said in a statement.The call coincided with one more death from the novel coronavirus on Friday, raising the total number in the country to three.Pakistan is at risk of facing a major economic crunch due to the global outbreak, having suspended travel with Europe and the US – the buyers of 70% of the country's exports.Though authorities have ordered closure of major markets, shopping malls and other public places, many who subsist on daily income have not complied.The novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has spread to at least 163 countries and territories. The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a pandemic.Out of more than 246,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 10,000 and over 86,000 have recovered, according to the data compiled by the US-based Johns Hopkins University. Despite the rising number of cases, most who become infected suffer only mild symptoms and recover.