Qudrat Ullah
Demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusive growth and social compassion, the Punjab government has launched an expansive Ramazan welfare initiative aimed at supporting the impecunious strata. The Ramazan Nigehban Package-2026, approved by the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, represents the largest and most comprehensive Ramazan-focused social protection programme ever undertaken in the province.
With a total allocation of Rs47 billion, the initiative is designed to benefit nearly one crore economically vulnerable individuals, reflecting the provincial government’s strategic commitment to people-centred governance and inclusive development. Recognising the heightened household expenditures, the package aims to provide timely, dignified, and targeted support that ensures no deserving family is left behind.
At the heart of the programme is a robust direct cash transfer mechanism, aligned with internationally recognised best practices in social protection. Under this framework, 4.2 million eligible families will receive Rs 10,000 each during the holy month. Furthermore, ration card holders, who previously received Rs3,000 per month, will now be provided Rs10,000 specifically for Ramazan, reinforcing the principles of equity, adequacy, and fiscal responsibility.
A defining feature of the Ramazan Nigehban Package is the introduction of the Nigehban Card, a smart welfare instrument designed to improve financial inclusion, transparency, and service delivery efficiency. Over two million cards will be issued to eligible beneficiaries, enabling them to withdraw cash and purchase essential items from authorised vendors. The provincial government has adopted a door-to-door distribution strategy, minimising administrative snafus and ensuring last-mile accessibility.
The Nigehban Card is interoperable with the Bank of Punjab’s branchless banking system and the nationwide 1-Link ATM network, allowing beneficiaries to access cash conveniently. Cardholders can also make purchases at designated merchants, providing flexibility and reducing reliance on informal markets. To support ease of use, 136 card activation centres will be operational across the province, while ATMs will also serve as activation points, reflecting a user-focused, decentralised service model.
Transparency and accountability are central to the initiative’s design. A Ramazan Nigehban Digital Dashboard will enable real-time monitoring, beneficiary verification, and performance tracking. Counter-verification calls will be made to cardholders to ensure funds reach intended recipients, promoting integrity, data-driven oversight, and leakage prevention. Such mechanisms exemplify modern governance practices and align with international standards in social programme management.
Beyond financial assistance, the package includes food security and community care components. Under the programme titled “Nigehban Dastarkhwan – Maryam Kay Mehman”, eight iftar arrangements will be established in every tehsil, serving up to 2,000 fasting individuals daily at each location. The thoughtfully designed iftar menu includes dates, samosas, milk, traditional beverages, fruit, and chicken biryani, ensuring nutrition, dignity, and inclusivity.
The Punjab Food Authority, in collaboration with field administrations, will monitor the daily operations of these dastarkhwan to guarantee compliance with food safety and hygiene standards. Senior district officials, including commissioners and deputy commissioners, will provide oversight, ensuring operational efficiency and accountability at every level.
In parallel, the initiative strengthens market access and price stabilisation through the establishment of Ramazan Sahulat Bazaars. A total of 65 bazaars will operate across 30 districts, complemented by permanent, mobile, and temporary markets in additional districts. A provincial monitoring room equipped with 1,250 cameras will oversee pricing, cleanliness, security, and crowd management, showcasing Punjab’s adoption of technology-enabled governance solutions to safeguard consumer interests.
To ensure affordability and uninterrupted supply, flour mills, poultry suppliers, grocery associations, and ghee manufacturers have been asked to set up dedicated stalls in these bazaars. The programme also integrates free home delivery services for Nigehban Card holders, providing additional convenience and accessibility for elderly citizens, women-headed households, and differently-abled persons. These measures reflect a comprehensive, citizen-first approach that blends welfare, commerce, and technology.
Meanwhile, CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has further emphasised measures to moderate prices, expand supply chains, and ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential items. Identification of land for new Sahulat Bazaars in 60 tehsils illustrates a long-term vision to institutionalise affordable markets, supporting food systems resilience and urban economic stability beyond seasonal relief periods.
Addressing ameeting, the chief minister Punjab highlighted that the Ramazan Nigehban Package embodies a social contract rooted in compassion, dignity, and shared responsibility. She emphasised that no deserving household should feel neglected and encouraged private-sector philanthropy to complement government efforts.
For international observers, development experts, and multilateral organisations, the Ramazan Nigehban Package-2026 offers a compelling case study in subnational welfare innovation. By integrating digital governance, targeted subsidies, market interventions, and field-level oversight, Punjab has created a model that demonstrates how provincial governments in emerging economies can deliver inclusive, transparent, and efficient social protection at scale.
While effective implementation will ultimately determine measurable outcomes, the package’s scale, intent, and innovative design mark a milestone in Punjab’s social protection strategy, enhancing the province’s global reputation as a leader in responsive, citizen-centred governance during moments of collective reflection and spiritual observance. (The writer is a Lahore-based public policy analyst and can be reached at [email protected])
