Pakistan Unveils Ramazan Relief Package

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan formally unveiled the Ramazan Package 2026, a relief initiative worth Rs38 billion aimed at benefiting over 12 million families through digital payments. This package represents an improvement over previous distribution systems, which were criticized for low-quality goods and cumbersome processes. The government, through the Pakistan — Benazir Income Support Programme, has transitioned to a cashless digital system, ensuring direct cash transfers to deserving families. Each eligible family will now receive an enhanced amount of Rs13,000, more than double the previous Rs5,000. The funds will be distributed across all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. A third-party audit of the previous year's Rs20 billion package confirmed the transparency and corruption-free nature of the digital distribution mechanism. The Pakistan — State Bank of Pakistan has issued a framework for the package's distribution, and support channels like a helpline, mobile app, and online portal have been introduced to facilitate beneficiaries.