Historic relief package of Rs 47 billion approved before Ramadan, 4.2 million families will get Rs 10,000

Lahore: The Punjab government has introduced a large and historic relief package for low-income and deserving families before Ramadan, under which direct financial assistance worth billions of rupees will be provided.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the “Ramadan Nighaban Package” of Rs 47 billion. More than one crore people, including 4.2 million families in the province, will benefit from this program.
According to government officials, each family will be given a cash assistance of Rs 10,000 so that they can meet their basic needs in a dignified manner during Ramadan.
Special Nighaban cards will be issued for this purpose. Through these cards, citizens will be able to withdraw money or make purchases from branchless banking agents of Bank of Punjab, ATM machines and specific shops.
Officials say that 136 activation centers are being set up across Punjab, while the card can also be activated through ATMs.
Moreover, existing ration card holders will be provided with Rs 10,000 per month instead of Rs 3,000.
During Ramadan, 65 convenience markets will be functional in 30 districts for public convenience, in which food items will be available at government rates. A central monitoring room with 1,250 cameras will also be set up to monitor prices and quality.
To provide iftar facilities to the public, “Nighban Dastarkhwans” will be set up in every tehsil, where free food will be provided to thousands of fasting people every day.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif says that no needy person will feel alone during Ramadan and the government will stand with the people at every level.