Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launches the Ramazan package in Islamabad. Photo: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday formally unveiled the Prime Minister’s Ramazan Package 2026 worth Rs 38 billion, benefiting more than 12 million families through digital payments.
Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister said that they had done away with the old distribution system last year as the things delivered to the deserving families under the system were of low quality and people used to queue and compromise their self-respect.
With the introduction of the digital system, direct cash payments were made to the deserving families under a new cashless digital system last year, he said, adding a third-party audit of Rs 20 billion allocated to the relief package last year for the deserving found the distribution mechanism very transparent and free from corruption.
The Prime Minister, in an address broadcast on national television channels, said that based on the experience of previous years, this year, the package would be distributed with new commitment and enhancement, as each deserving family would now get an increased amount of Rs 13,000.
He said that an amount of Rs 38 billion would be distributed through wallets and digital banking in all the four provinces, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, which involves a huge effort in terms of volume and challenge.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Syed Imran Ahamd Shah said an increased amount of Rs13,000 would be provided to each deserving family, while Rs10 billion had also been allocated to those already benefiting from the scheme.
The digital banking and cashless economy not only increased transparency but also saved public time and their dignity, he added.
Secretary Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Aamer Ali Ahmad said it would be a historic relief package as the government would roll out a comprehensive relief package based on compassion and empathy in keeping with the spirit of the holy month.
He pointed out that the earlier package amount of Rs.5,000. per family now was increased to Rs.13,000. per family on instructions from the Prime Minister.
A total amount of Rs 38 billion had been earmarked for the relief package to benefit more than 12 million families and help around 36 million people, he added.
He said that the State Bank of Pakistan had also issued a framework for the distribution of the package, added a helpline 9999, mobile app and portal had also been introduced for support.
