In a momentous announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed a historic subsidy-based Ramazan relief package amounting to Rs 7.5 billion for the benefit of impoverished and middle-class citizens. The announcement came during a high-level meeting on the Prime Minister’s Ramazan Relief Package and Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
Key figures present at the meeting included Senator Ishaq Dar, Ahad Cheema, Shiza Fatima Khawaja, Romina Khursheed Alam, and other senior officials.
The Prime Minister received a comprehensive briefing on the intricacies of the Ramazan relief package, which is set to provide essential goods at discounted rates to over 39.6 million families during the holy month of Ramazan.
Under the Benazir Income Support Programme, 88 percent of eligible families will receive 19 essential items, including flour, rice, pulses, ghee, cooking oil, sugar, sherbet, and milk, at rates lower than the market. The subsidy on these goods will be an impressive 30 percent, exceeding the inflation rate.
Specifics of the relief package include a subsidy of Rs 77 per kilogram on a 20-kilogram flour bag and Rs 70 per kilogram of ghee. The distribution of the Prime Minister’s Ramazan relief package will be facilitated through 4775 utility stores nationwide, continuing until the conclusion of Ramazan.
To address potential registration challenges, individuals encountering difficulties will be assisted and registered on-site, with prompt resolution of their concerns.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored the government’s commitment to providing essential items to the poor and low-income classes at rates below the market. He emphasized strict adherence to quality standards, assuring rigorous monitoring of the quality of the distributed food items.
To ensure a seamless experience for the recipients, the Prime Minister instructed the augmentation of distribution counters, particularly for affordable flour, along with the introduction of mobile units. He issued a stern warning against artificial price hikes and hoarding during the sacred month of Ramazan, pledging strict actions against offenders.
The Prime Minister called for a nationwide awareness campaign to guide deserving individuals on how to avail themselves of the relief package. He stressed the need for an efficient coordination system to address complaints, vowing zero tolerance for negligence or laxity in the process. The overarching goal is to ensure that the less fortunate face no hurdles in accessing the essential items provided through the Ramazan relief package.