Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that financial assistance under the federal government’s Ramazan Package be distributed exclusively through digital wallets, marking a significant step toward digitising welfare payments and promoting a cashless economy. The directive was issued while chairing a review meeting on third-party validation of the proposed Ramazan Package, with a focus on transparency, efficiency, and preserving the dignity of beneficiaries.
The prime minister said that distributing assistance through digital wallets would help ensure self-respect for low-income households by eliminating physical cash handouts and reducing the risk of leakages or misuse. He added that the involvement of the State Bank of Pakistan would be central to facilitating smooth digital disbursements and ensuring compliance with financial safeguards.
During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif announced that a Social Protection Wallet system is being introduced under the Benazir Income Support Programme. Under this system, SIM cards will be provided to eligible beneficiaries, enabling them to receive financial assistance digitally. He said that from March 2026 onward, assistance payments would be routed through these SIM-based digital wallets, allowing beneficiaries to access funds securely and conveniently.
The prime minister recalled that the federal government had earlier introduced mechanisms to provide essential food items to low-income households at subsidised rates under the Ramazan Package. However, he noted that the Utility Stores model had suffered from mismanagement and irregularities, resulting in many deserving households being unable to receive their full entitlements. The shift to a fully digital distribution model is intended to address these shortcomings and improve governance of social assistance programmes.
Shehbaz Sharif instructed relevant ministries and institutions to prepare an improved Ramazan Package for the upcoming holy month, emphasising that financial assistance and social protection for low- and lower-middle-income households remain a key government priority. He stressed that the redesigned package should be inclusive, transparent, and easy to access for beneficiaries across the country.
The prime minister also directed authorities to ensure that eligible households are included in the programme to the maximum extent possible. He called for the development of a digital dashboard and a robust monitoring system to track implementation in real time, enabling oversight and quick resolution of issues related to eligibility, payments, and service delivery.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Poverty Alleviation Minister Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, and IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja. Also present were the prime minister’s special assistant Haroon Akhtar, along with the chairmen of NADRA and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and other senior officials.
The move to distribute Ramazan Package assistance through digital wallets aligns with broader government efforts to expand digital payments, reduce cash dependency, and strengthen social protection systems using technology-driven solutions.
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