Punjab allocates Rs47 billion for Ramazan Nigehban Package

The Punjab government has approved an allocation of Rs47 billion for the Ramazan Nigehban Package, under which 4.2 million deserving families will receive cash assistance during the holy month.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to review Ramazan preparations and public relief measures. Under the package, eligible families will be provided Rs10,000 each.

Officials informed the meeting that more than two million beneficiaries would be issued Nigehban Cards, enabling access to cash assistance as well as the purchase of essential commodities. Beneficiaries will also be able to withdraw cash through branchless banking agents and ATMs.

To support implementation, 136 card activation centres will be established across Punjab, while a Ramazan Nigehban Dashboard will be launched for monitoring and verification. Ration Card holders will also receive Rs10,000 during Ramazan, replacing the existing monthly assistance of Rs3,000.

The chief minister directed that payments through the Nigehban Card be made simple and accessible, including options linked to free home delivery services. She also approved the setting up of stalls by flour mills, poultry, grocery and ghee mill associations at Sasta Ramazan and Sahulat Bazaars.

The meeting approved the establishment of eight “Nigehban Dastarkhwan – Maryam Kay Mehman” in each tehsil, where up to 2,000 fasting people will be provided iftar daily. Commissioners, deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners were tasked with monitoring the initiative, while the Punjab Food Authority will oversee food quality.

It was decided that 65 Sahulat Bazaars would operate in 30 districts, alongside additional permanent, mobile and temporary Ramazan Bazaars in other areas. A provincial monitoring room equipped with 1,250 cameras will be set up to oversee pricing, cleanliness, security and overall arrangements at the bazaars.

The chief minister instructed officials to take steps to reduce prices during Ramazan and ordered immediate identification of land for Sahulat Bazaars in 60 tehsils. She also directed timely completion of canal desilting across all districts and sought corrective measures over cleanliness issues reported in Sargodha.