Lahore, In a move set to alleviate the burdens of the holy month of Ramazan for millions, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the launch of the largest Ramazan Nigahban Package in the history of Punjab. The package, designed to deliver essential food items directly to the doorsteps of the beneficiaries, aims to ensure that the people of Punjab can observe Ramazan with dignity and without the hassle of long queues.
According to Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, Sharif, during a news conference, shared that the initiative, which was prepared under the guidance of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in just nine days following her oath-taking on February 26, is part of her mission to provide relief directly to the people’s doorsteps. She highlighted that 65,000 bags equipped with QR codes will be distributed, benefitting more than three crore individuals across Punjab.
The Chief Minister detailed the contents of the Ramazan Relief Package, which includes 10 kg of flour, 2 kg each of ghee, sugar, rice, and gram flour (Besan). She emphasized the importance of quality, instructing the district administrations and the Punjab Food Authority to ensure that only the best quality food items make it into the hampers. Sharif revealed that measures have been taken against substandard products, with four mills already sealed.
To streamline distribution, a fully digitized delivery mechanism has been established, leveraging a dedicated application developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). Distribution teams at the Union Council level, accompanied by police security, will deliver these packages at the neighborhood level, ensuring both efficiency and safety.
The distribution process is designed to be transparent, with a complete digital record of the 6.5 million hampers being distributed. A helpline (080002345) has also been set up for the public to register complaints or provide feedback on the Ramazan package, promising swift resolution of issues.
Furthermore, Sharif announced the setup of Ramazan bazaars in every district, offering essential items at discounted rates, alongside a dedicated effort to develop a robust price control system to combat price hikes and hoarding, with significant actions already taken against violators.
The initiative not only highlights the government’s commitment to providing immediate relief to the populace but also sets the stage for a more extensive socio-economic registry project aimed at enhancing future governmental interventions.