Friday, Feb 27, 2026 | 09 Ramadan 1447
Friday, Feb 27, 2026 | 09 Ramadan 1447
ISLAMABAD: In a promising update, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed on Thursday that 64% of eligible recipients had already pocketed their payments under the much-anticipated Ramazan Package by the 8th of Ramazan.
In a briefing at a review meeting on the Prime Minister’s Ramadan Relief Package 2026, chaired by Sharif, officials said that the verification and checking process for the remaining beneficiaries was progressing swiftly.
The meeting was also informed that this year, 12 banks and financial technology companies are partnering with the government for the distribution of funds.
“So far, 1.1 million digital transactions have been completed by the recipients of the Ramadan Package,” said the officials.
READ MORE: ECC approves release of Rs19bn for PM’s Ramzan Relief Package 2026
During the meeting, the prime minister said that the Prime Minister’s Ramadan Relief Package 2026, backed by a massive Rs38 billion budget, is all aimed at benefiting the deserving masses this Ramadan.
He said that the assistance amount per person has been increased from Rs5,000 to Rs13,000 compared to last year, aiming to provide greater financial support to deserving individuals during Ramadan.
He further emphasised that this is the country’s largest and most comprehensive Ramadan Relief Package, noting that the distribution process is being carried out through the same transparent digital system that proved successful last year. The prime minister highlighted that cash assistance is being delivered to eligible individuals via digital wallets.
He praised the performance of the relevant institutions working on the Ramadan package and noted that the use of digital wallets is enabling a highly transparent and user-friendly system, sparing recipients from long queues and preserving their dignity.
The briefing also covered progress on the Prime Minister’s Ramadan Relief Package 2026, with officials revealing that as part of the awareness campaign, over 1.2 million automated calls had been made to eligible individuals. It was also highlighted that the Prime Minister’s Ramadan Relief Package 2026 is being implemented nationwide, including in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials pointed out that digital wallets represent a significant milestone in the data-driven financial system, with transparency ensured through real-time payment updates displayed on dashboards.
A robust awareness campaign is being conducted across various media platforms, including print, electronic, and social media, they added.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecom Shaza Fatima, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industry Haroon Akhtar, Benazir Income Support Programme Chairwoman Rubina Khalid, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad, and other senior government officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
