Centre launches Rs20bn, Punjab Rs30bn Ramazan package

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Saturday launched a Rs20 billion Ramazan package, aimed at catering to four million deserving families.

Also, the Punjab government launched a Rs30 billion relief package, delivering direct cash assistance to 3 million families at their doorsteps, according to the provincial information minister.

Speaking at the relief package launching ceremony, PM Shehbaz said that around 20 million people would benefit from the package, which would be distributed in the first 10 days of Ramazan. With the initiative provisioning Rs5,000 deposits to each family via digital wallets, the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the reduced rate of inflation in 2025 compared to the previous figures during the holy month of Ramazan.

“This year, an amount of Rs20 billion has been allocated for the purpose. The relief amount last year was Rs7 billion,” he added.

The premier also lauded all relevant authorities and institutions including ministries, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and tech companies, who worked day and night to devise a digital mechanism.

The federal government’s initiative would benefit all parts of the country through a well-devised digital system, he added.

He also expressed his gratitude to foreign partners for their partnership and support in this noble cause and appreciated their commitment and valuable contributions.

The PM said billions of rupees of the poor nation had been stuck up in litigation for years and expressed the resolve of the government to get expeditious decisions over Rs500 billion cases pending adjudication in various courts.

He said corruption was being dealt with an iron hand. During their previous interim government’s tenure, the banks had made windfall profits over the fluctuation of dollar rates and got stay orders from the court when the government introduced legislation in this regard.

Referring to a decision of the recent Sindh High Court, he said Rs23 billion were recovered from the disposal of a stay case.

The prime minister termed corruption in the Utility Stores Corporation as the “worst one” and said that it was being privatised, ending public agonies with a very proactive digital system like the one just launched.

He also reiterated to close down other government entities running into losses.

Separately, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari announced that 80 Ramazan bazaars had been established across the province, providing high-quality essential goods at subsidised rates. These bazaars continue to function as per routine, offering staple items such as ghee, sugar, flour, pulses, vegetables, and fruits at prices lower than the open market.

She reaffirmed that the Punjab government had not withdrawn any subsidy and remains committed to ensuring affordability for the public. Currently, all 80 Ramazan bazaars across the province were fully operational. Lahore hosts 10 such bazaars, Rawalpindi 8, while Jhelum, Faisalabad, and Nankana each have three bazaars. Several other districts have also set up Ramazan bazaars to facilitate citizens.

She said the Rs30 billion historic Ramazan relief package would ensure that financial aid reaches deserving and middle-class citizens with dignity and without any inconvenience. She dismissed reports of inflated prices or subsidy withdrawals in Ramazan bazaars as baseless propaganda. She said that these bazaars continue to offer affordable goods, attracting a large number of shoppers who prefer them over the open market due to significant price differences. The public has widely welcomed and appreciated the Punjab government’s efforts to provide essential commodities at reduced prices during the holy month of Ramazan.