Majority of beneficiaries receive funds under PM Ramadan relief package

ISLAMABAD: In a positive development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed on Thursday that 64 per cent of eligible recipients had received payments under the government’s Ramadan relief initiative by the 8th of Ramadan.

The update was shared during a review meeting on the Prime Minister’s Ramadan Relief Package 2026, chaired by the premier in Islamabad. Officials told the meeting that verification of the remaining beneficiaries was progressing at pace.

Participants were also informed that 12 banks and fintech companies are collaborating with the government this year to distribute the funds. So far, 1.1 million digital transactions have been completed by recipients of the package.

The Rs38 billion programme aims to support low-income families during the holy month. The prime minister noted that the per-person assistance has been increased from Rs5,000 last year to Rs13,000, providing greater financial relief to deserving individuals.

He described the initiative as the country’s largest and most comprehensive Ramadan relief package, adding that distribution is being carried out through the same transparent digital mechanism successfully used previously. Funds are being transferred directly into beneficiaries’ digital wallets.

Sharif commended the institutions involved in executing the programme, saying the digital system has helped eliminate long queues and ensured dignity for recipients. Real-time payment tracking through dashboards has further strengthened transparency.

Officials briefed the meeting that more than 1.2 million automated calls had been made as part of an awareness campaign to inform eligible individuals. The package is being implemented nationwide, including in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

A broad outreach campaign is underway across print, electronic and social media platforms to maximise awareness and participation.

The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Poverty Alleviation Minister Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, Benazir Income Support Programme Chairperson Rubina Khalid, and State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad, along with other senior government representatives.