Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a significant Ramadan package to support low-income households across Pakistan. In a ceremony held in the federal capital, he revealed that four million families, approximately 20 million people, will receive Rs.5,000 each through a digital wallet during the holy month.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Allah, noting that inflation during Ramadan this year is lower than in previous years. He also highlighted the government's increased allocation for the package, which stands at Rs 20 billion, a 200% rise from last year's Rs.7 billion.
This initiative is part of the government's broader efforts to provide financial relief during Ramadan. In Punjab, the provincial government launched the "Nigehban Ramazan" project in February, aimed at supporting three million deserving families. Under this program, each household will receive Rs 10,000, and the funds are being distributed through Pakistan Post. The Bank of Punjab is issuing 500,000 pay orders daily, with all operations supervised by Pakistan Post’s Director-General, Sami Ullah Khan.
Additionally, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has also rolled out a similar relief package. This year, over one million families in K-P will receive Rs 10,000 each, with funds being transferred via banks and EasyPaisa before the 15th of Ramadan. The provincial government will cover all bank and disbursement charges to ensure that the full amount reaches the recipients.
In other news, the moon for Ramadan was not sighted in Pakistan, and as a result, the first fast (roza) will begin on Sunday, March 2. The announcement was made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after its meeting in Peshawar.
