Govt Prepares Rs. 20 Billion Ramadan Relief Package on PM’s Orders

The federal government is finalizing a Ramzan relief package worth over Rs. 20 billion on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The prime minister has instructed that the package be presented in the next cabinet meeting for approval, after which its immediate implementation will begin, sources said. The package includes a proposal to provide Rs. 5,000 per family to 4 million deserving households. The data from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) will be used to ensure that financial aid reaches the most deserving families. Additionally, another proposal suggests offering a 10-15 percent discount on essential items at special Ramzan bazaars. To finance the relief package, the Ministry of Industries and Production will contribute Rs 10 billion, while the Federal Ministry of Finance will provide more than Rs. 8 billion. Additionally, Rs. 2.5 billion will be sourced from the BISP. The government has directed all relevant ministries and institutions to complete the necessary preparations for the package’s swift execution. Unlike previous years, the government has decided not to distribute the Ramzan relief package through Utility Stores Corporation. PM Shehbaz Sharif has opted for an alternative distribution mechanism, excluding the corporation from the relief efforts. In the past, the government used Utility Stores to provide subsidies on essential food items during Ramzan.