Digital Ramadan Package
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Monday that the Ramadan Relief Package 2025 funds are being disbursed to beneficiaries through a streamlined and transparent digital wallet system. This initiative, he emphasized, sets a new benchmark for efficient and accountable financial aid distribution and should serve as a model for future government welfare programs.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review the implementation of the Ramadan Relief Package, the prime minister reiterated his commitment to ensuring that all government assistance programs operate with transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity. He directed officials to assess the package’s execution and ensure that similar mechanisms are adopted for other government welfare schemes to maximize their effectiveness and reach.
The Ramadan Relief Package, which was officially launched on March 1, carries a financial outlay of Rs20 billion. It aims to provide assistance to four million deserving families, ultimately benefiting approximately 20 million individuals across Pakistan.
The package ensures that each eligible family receives a direct cash deposit of Rs5,000 through digital wallets, eliminating inefficiencies and reducing opportunities for mismanagement or corruption.
During the meeting, the prime minister expressed satisfaction with the overall stability in essential commodity prices during Ramadan 2025, noting that inflation rates had been relatively lower compared to previous years. He reaffirmed that the package was implemented nationwide, including in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring that no region was left behind in this government-supported initiative.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts of key institutions, PM Shehbaz praised the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and various technology firms for their role in ensuring a seamless and accountable disbursement process.
He highlighted how financial oversight, advanced identity verification, and digital integration were leveraged to enhance transparency and prevent fraudulent claims.
To further strengthen accountability, the prime minister directed that a third-party audit be conducted to assess the package’s implementation. He also instructed telecom operators and banking institutions to expand their awareness campaigns to ensure that all beneficiaries are well-informed about the process of accessing the relief funds.
A comprehensive report evaluating the package’s success and areas for improvement is to be prepared and presented for review.
The meeting was briefed on the current status of disbursements, revealing that 63% of the targeted beneficiaries had already received their financial relief, with full documentation of all transactions maintained. A dedicated workforce of 2,224 employees had been deployed to oversee the package’s distribution, while over 1.5 million beneficiaries were contacted via telephone calls to facilitate and expedite the process.
The session was attended by several high-profile government officials, including Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar.
Additionally, the Chairman of NADRA, the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and representatives from private companies involved in the implementation of the Ramadan Relief Package were also present.
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, the government remains committed to ensuring that relief efforts reach those in need with efficiency and integrity. The Ramadan Relief Package 2025 is now being recognized as a model initiative for future government welfare programs, setting new standards in digital governance and financial aid transparency.
