The Punjab government has approved a Rs47 billion Ramadan relief package for low-income families, under which 4.2 million households will receive direct financial assistance through Nigehban Cards.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Maryam Nawaz Sharif, where Ramadan preparations and province-wide relief measures were reviewed.
Under the package, each eligible family will receive Rs 10,000, benefiting nearly 10 million people. The assistance will be provided through the Ramadan Nigehban Card, with officials confirming that beneficiaries will not need to visit government offices. Instead, district administrations will distribute the cards door to door.
Cardholders will be able to withdraw cash through Bank of Punjab branchless banking agents and One Link network ATMs. Payments can also be made at designated Bank of Punjab merchant outlets. For activation, 136 centres will be set up across Punjab, while cards can also be activated through Bank of Punjab ATMs.
As part of the broader Ramadan relief plan, the chief minister also approved the CM Rashan Card, Nigehban Dastarkhwan, Sasta Bazaars, and related administrative arrangements. Separately, ration card holders will now receive Rs10,000 during Ramadan instead of the previous monthly amount of Rs3,000.
Under the Ramadan food initiative, eight Nigehban Dastarkhwan titled “Maryam Ke Mehman” will be established in every tehsil, each serving iftar to 2,000 fasting individuals daily. The iftar menu will include dates, samosas, milk, Rooh Afza, bananas, and chicken biryani. Commissioners and deputy commissioners have been directed to personally monitor the arrangements.
A total of 65 Sasta Bazaars will operate in 30 districts, along with 50 permanent Sasta Bazaars and 15 Sasta on the Go outlets. Temporary Ramadan Sasta Bazaars will be set up in the remaining 11 districts. Authorities have also been instructed to immediately identify land for Sasta Bazaars in 60 tehsils.
To ensure transparency and smooth operations, a provincial monitoring room equipped with 1,250 cameras will oversee pricing, cleanliness, security, and supply conditions. Dedicated stalls for flour mills, chicken suppliers, grocery traders,s and ghee mills will also be set up at Sasta Bazaars to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential items.
