The Punjab government has finalized a historic relief plan ahead of the holy month of Ramadan for poor and deserving people across the province. The package aims to ease financial pressure and ensure no family feels left alone during the blessed month.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the Rs47 billion Ramazan Nigehban Package. Under this plan, about 4.2 million deserving families, benefiting over 10 million people, will receive direct support from the government.
She stated that during Ramazan, no mother, father, laborer or self-respecting family in Punjab will be abandoned. As part of the package, every eligible family will be given Rs10,000 to help manage daily expenses during the holy month.
To deliver this support, the Punjab government will issue Ramazan Nigehban Cards to needy people. These cards will allow families to withdraw cash and buy essential food items. District administrations will distribute the cards by visiting homes.
Through the Nigehban Card, beneficiaries can withdraw money from Bank of Punjab branchless banking agents, use One Link network ATMs, and shop from designated stores.
For card activation, 136 activation centers will be set up across Punjab. Cards can also be activated directly through Bank of Punjab ATMs for convenience.
During Ramazan, ration card holders who previously received Rs3,000 per month will now get Rs10,000. To ensure transparency, a Ramazan Nigehban Dashboard has been launched, along with a call-based counter-checking system.
In every tehsil, eight Nigehban Dastarkhwan, named ‘Maryam’s Guests’, will be set up. Each center will provide iftar daily for 2,000 fasting people, including dates, samosas, milk, Rooh Afza, bananas and chicken biryani.
Commissioners, deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners have been directed to supervise these arrangements, while the Punjab Food Authority will conduct daily monitoring.
During Ramazan, 65 Sasta Bazaars will operate in 30 districts, including 50 permanent and 15 mobile markets. Temporary Ramadan bazaars will also be set up in 11 more districts.
A provincial monitoring room with 1,250 cameras will oversee prices, cleanliness and security at these markets.
The chief minister urged officials to show full commitment to public service during Ramadan. She also encouraged well-off citizens to help needy people around them, saying service to humanity brings success in both this world and the hereafter.
This package shows a strong focus on direct cash help instead of only subsidies. Home delivery of cards can reduce corruption and exclusion. Large-scale monitoring suggests the government wants visible transparency. If implemented well, the plan can ease Ramadan pressure for millions of families.
