Islamabad, Mar 25, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a third-party audit of the Ramazan Relief Package, ensuring that the funds reach deserving families transparently.
He also directed authorities to expand the “digital wallet system” used in the package to other government programs, making financial aid distribution more efficient and secure.
Acknowledging the efforts of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and technological institutions, Shehbaz appreciated their role in maintaining transparency.
This initiative, launched on March 1 with a budget of Rs20 billion, aims to support four million families—benefiting nearly 20 million individuals. Under the scheme, each family receives Rs5,000 directly into their digital wallets.
During his visit to the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) on March 11, the prime minister emphasized the need to enhance the public awareness campaign regarding the relief program.
He instructed telecom companies and banks to refine their outreach efforts and provide a detailed progress report on the campaign’s effectiveness.
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Chairing a high-level review meeting, Shehbaz highlighted the importance of ensuring that the funds reach beneficiaries efficiently.
He reiterated that the government implemented the relief package nationwide, including in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, without discrimination.
Officials informed the meeting that authorities had contacted over 1.5 million beneficiaries through phone calls, and 63% had already received their payments.
Authorities deployed 2,224 staff members to facilitate the distribution process and maintained complete records to ensure accountability.
Several federal ministers, special assistants, and private sector representatives attended the review meeting and worked together to ensure the success of the relief initiative.
In a separate event, Shehbaz inaugurated the Potato Seed Production and Aeroponics Complex at the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC).
He stressed the importance of collaboration between federal and provincial governments to provide farmers with essential inputs such as high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides at reasonable rates.
He underscored the need to boost agricultural production, particularly for key crops like cotton and sugarcane, to strengthen Pakistan’s economy.
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Further advocated for supporting agriculture graduates by creating an enabling environment for them to contribute effectively to the sector.
Shehbaz commended researchers at NARC for their dedication and called for the promotion of local agricultural machinery manufacturing and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas.
The newly inaugurated complex, a joint venture between the Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture (KOPIA) and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), will facilitate certified potato seed production using advanced aeroponics technology.
However, the prime minister expressed gratitude to Korea for its support and emphasized Pakistan’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors.
Additionally, he inaugurated the National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB) at NARC, a specialized institute dedicated to research in plant, animal, and microbial sciences.
This step aligns with Pakistan’s broader vision of advancing agricultural innovation and self-sufficiency.
