PM Shehbaz reviews Ramazan package, directs expansion of digital aid

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday chaired a review meeting on the federal government’s proposed Ramazan package and the third-party validation of last year’s initiative, directing authorities to make the upcoming programme more effective and wide-ranging.

During the meeting, the prime minister lauded relevant ministries and institutions after an internationally reputable audit firm submitted a report endorsing the transparency and effectiveness of the previous Ramazan package. He said the government had introduced a transparent mechanism to provide essential food items to deserving citizens at subsidised rates.

The prime minister noted that decades of financial irregularities, mismanagement and exploitation linked to utility stores had been replaced with a transparent system, adding that corruption had previously deprived the poor of their rightful share.

He instructed concerned authorities to formulate a more beneficial Ramazan package for the coming year, with expanded coverage and improved delivery mechanisms. Emphasising dignity and respect for beneficiaries, he directed that financial assistance be distributed through digital wallets.

Shehbaz Sharif said digital payments would also support the government’s broader goal of moving towards a cashless economy, adding that the involvement of the State Bank of Pakistan would further strengthen this transition.

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The prime minister ordered the development of a digital dashboard and organised monitoring system to ensure effective oversight. He also sought the early submission of a comprehensive strategy with practical recommendations to improve implementation compared with last year.

Officials informed the meeting that the third-party validation found no financial corruption or serious administrative irregularities in the previous package. It was also briefed that under the Benazir Income Support Programme, a social protection wallet system is being introduced, with free SIMs being issued to eligible beneficiaries. From March 2026, all assistance under the programme will be distributed digitally through these SIMs.