KARACHI: Malik Muhammad Bostan, Chairman of the Currency Exchange Companies Association, praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s initiative to provide financial assistance and social protection to the poor and middle class, calling it a commendable step.
He stated that low-income families in Pakistan should receive financial aid and subsidies on essential food items. Additionally, proposals should be developed for the Ramazan package that would alleviate the difficulties of the middle class, allowing them to access food at affordable prices.
He further emphasized that the federal and provincial governments should establish a transparent system for Ramazan across the country.
However, he raised the question that although low-cost food items were once available through utility stores nationwide, these stores were shut down due to mismanagement.
He acknowledged that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured that the exploitative system of the past is being replaced with a transparent one.
He urged the Prime Minister to direct all relevant institutions to ensure the availability of a more effective and beneficial package for Ramazan 2026, starting from February, so that deserving, poor, and working-class families can observe Ramazan with dignity and peace.
Malik Muhammad Bostan noted that last year, in 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had provided direct financial assistance of 10,000 rupees to each deserving family, along with subsidies on ration items such as flour, sugar, pulses, ghee, and rice.
He praised the government’s effort in providing this support and said that the Prime Minister’s initiative for 2026 was highly welcome.
Last year, 4 million families (approximately 20 million people) were given 5,000 rupees per household, with the government allocating 20 billion rupees for this scheme.
The funds were distributed through a digital system, and it is hoped that this year, the government will provide even more financial assistance to deserving families than last year.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026