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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Monday that four million deserving families benefiting around 20 million people will receive a transparent distribution of the Rs20 billion Ramazan package through a digital wallet.
During his visit to the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) headquarters to assess the monitoring system for the Ramazan Package 2025, he highlighted that this marks the first time a digital wallet platform is being used to ensure complete transparency in aid distribution.
Sharif noted that inflation during this Ramazan is lower compared to previous years and emphasized that the government’s significant Rs20 billion allocation will provide relief to millions of Pakistani households. He also highlighted that this year’s allocation is 200% higher than last year’s Rs7 billion, attributing the increase to the country’s improving economic situation.
NTC officials briefed the prime minister on the progress of the cash distribution system. Despite a slow initial response, public interest has grown due to the system’s transparency. Measures are also being implemented to curb corruption and address past issues in the distribution of Ramazan aid. The prime minister stressed that extensive efforts are being made to enhance transparency through the digital system.
To maximize the program’s impact, Sharif instructed relevant ministries to collaborate with the corporate sector to expand the awareness campaign for the Ramazan Relief Package. He acknowledged that the 20% withdrawal rate remains low due to a lack of awareness about digital wallets. He urged eligible beneficiaries to contact 9999 for further details.
Reiterating the importance of this initiative, the prime minister stated that the aid is a right, not a favor, for those in need. He also requested stakeholder feedback within a week to explore possibilities for increasing the relief budget.
