Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the third-party validation of last year’s Ramadan package and discuss the proposed package for the upcoming Ramadan.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed that the third-party validation of last year’s Ramadan package, conducted by a globally renowned and credible audit firm, found the government’s package to be effective and transparent. No financial irregularities or serious administrative lapses were reported.
Commending the transparency, PM Shahbaz Sharif said the federal government had taken revolutionary steps by eliminating decades-long financial mismanagement and inefficiencies in Utility Stores, ensuring that essential food items reach the poor at subsidized rates. He emphasized that providing financial and social support to low-income and deserving citizens remains a top priority of the government.
The Prime Minister directed all relevant ministries and departments to develop a comprehensive strategy for a more effective and beneficial Ramadan and Eid package this year. He instructed that disbursement of assistance should be done through digital wallets to protect the dignity of beneficiaries, promote inclusion, and advance Pakistan’s cashless economy. The State Bank of Pakistan’s involvement in the distribution was also highlighted as a key step towards promoting a cashless economy.
For effective monitoring, PM Shahbaz Sharif called for the establishment of a digital dashboard and organized monitoring systems to ensure transparency, wider outreach, and accountability. He also asked for practical recommendations and a detailed plan to improve the efficiency and impact of the upcoming package.
It was further briefed that under the Benazir Income Support Program, a social protection wallet system has been implemented, through which beneficiaries receive free SIMs, and from March 2026, all assistance payments will be distributed digitally via these SIMs.
The meeting was attended by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PM’s Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, Chairman NADRA, Chairman PTA, and other relevant officials.
The Prime Minister underscored that all measures should ensure transparency, administrative discipline, and maximum inclusion of deserving beneficiaries in the upcoming Ramadan package.
