ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday formally launched the Ramzan Package 2026, a Rs38 billion relief initiative aimed at supporting more than 12 million deserving families through a transparent digital payment system.
Addressing the launch ceremony in the federal capital, the prime minister said the government had discontinued the old ration distribution system last year due to serious flaws. He said low-quality items, long queues, and delays had affected the dignity of poor families during previous Ramzan relief efforts.
He said the introduction of a digital and cashless model under the Ramzan Package 2026 had changed the process completely. Eligible families now receive direct cash assistance, allowing them to make their own choices while avoiding unnecessary hardship.
The prime minister said a third-party audit of last year’s Ramzan relief funds, amounting to Rs20 billion, confirmed that the digital distribution system was transparent and free from corruption. He added that this success encouraged the government to further improve the system this year.
Under the Ramzan Package 2026, the cash assistance per family has been increased to Rs13,000. The prime minister said the enhanced amount reflects the government’s commitment to easing financial pressure on low-income households during the holy month.
He said the Rs38 billion package would be distributed through digital wallets and banking channels across all four provinces, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. He acknowledged the scale of the operation but said it was necessary to ensure fair and timely delivery.
Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah said the Ramzan Package 2026 would benefit families already registered under the welfare system, with Rs10 billion reserved for existing beneficiaries. He said digital banking had improved transparency while saving time and protecting the self-respect of citizens.
Secretary Benazir Income Support Programme Aamer Ali Ahmad described the initiative as a historic step rooted in compassion. He said the earlier Ramzan assistance of Rs5,000 per family had been increased to Rs13,000 on the prime minister’s instructions.
He said the Ramzan Package 2026 would benefit more than 12 million families, providing relief to nearly 36 million people nationwide. To ensure smooth implementation, he said the State Bank of Pakistan had issued a special framework for fund distribution.
He added that a helpline 9999, along with a mobile application and online portal, had been launched to guide beneficiaries and address complaints related to the Ramzan Package 2026.