ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a meeting in Islamabad on Friday, has directed all relevant departments to prepare a more effective and beneficial package for the upcoming Ramazan compared to last year.
PM said financial support and social welfare of the poor and common man are amongst the government’s top priorities.
The prime minister gave special instructions that aid disbursement under the Ramadan package should be made through digital wallets to preserve the dignity and respect of the recipients. Disbursing aid through digital wallets will also serve as a milestone toward achieving a cashless economy.
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During the meeting, the prime minister praised all relevant institutions and ministries on the report by a reputable audit firm regarding the transparency of last year’s Ramazan package.
He noted that deserving individuals were deprived of their rights due to corruption in utility stores. Financial support and social well-being for the poor and the middle class are among the top priorities of the government, the prime minister said directing that subsidy amounts for the Ramazan package for the deserving people should be distributed exclusively through digital wallets so that their dignity and respect was not compromised.
Shehbaz Sharif said that providing subsidy amounts to the public through digital wallets will also prove to be a milestone in achieving a cashless economy. “The inclusion of the State Bank of Pakistan in the distribution of the Ramazan package will promote a cashless economy.”
He stressed all relevant ministries and institutions to ensure maximizing the scope and inclusion of the underprivileged in receiving subsidies.
The prime minister also directed to present a comprehensive strategy and recommendations containing practical measures for a better and more effective disbursement than last year in the Ramazan package as soon as possible. “A digital dashboard and a structured monitoring system should also be established for effective oversight.”
During the meeting, the prime minister was informed that in the third-party validation of last year’s Ramazan package, a world renowned and reputable audit firm declared the government package effective and transparent.
Furthermore, a Social Protection Wallet system is being implemented under the Benazir Income Support Programme, under which free SIMs are being distributed to eligible individuals, and from March 2026, all subsidy amounts will be distributed digitally through these SIMs. It was further told in the meeting that the third-party validation of the Ramazan package did not identify any financial corruption or serious administrative mismanagement.
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