At its maiden meeting on 7 March 2024, the 18-member Punjab cabinet approved the Ramazan Nigahban Relief Package 2024. Newly-elected Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz chaired the meeting. The Punjab government’s official portal shared the details.
Under the package, district teams delivered around 6.5 million ration hampers free at the doorsteps of deserving families across Punjab. As a result, more than 30 million people benefited. The programme concluded with Ramadan 2024.
What Each Ration Hamper Contained
Each Ramazan Nigahban hamper contained 10 kg of flour, 2 kg of rice and 2 kg of sugar. It also held 2 kg of ghee and 2 kg of besan (gram flour).
The bags carried QR codes for tracking. The Chief Minister also tasked district administrations and the Punjab Food Authority with checking the quality of every food item.
How Deserving Families Were Identified
Officials identified deserving families using Benazir Income Support Programme and NADRA data. Therefore, relief reached only verified households.
Teams delivered hampers directly to doorsteps. So families did not have to stand in queues during fasting days.
Radio Pakistan reported early progress under the package. Within the first days of the announcement, teams had already delivered 80,000 hampers.
Monitoring, Price Control and the Complaint Helpline
The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) developed an app and a dashboard, and officials used them to monitor delivery.
The Urban Unit and the Special Branch submitted daily delivery reports after physical surveys of beneficiaries. In addition, a special ministerial committee oversaw the programme.
The Chief Minister announced a dedicated complaint helpline — 08000-2345 — and promised resolution of public complaints within 72 hours.
She warned that profiteers and hoarders would face strict action during Ramadan. Price-control magistrates also received special training to check price hikes.
Model Ramazan Bazaars
Alongside the hampers, the cabinet approved Model Ramazan Bazaars at district level. These bazaars provided subsidised commodities to the common man during the holy month.
For related Ramadan coverage on this site, see the Ramadan Nigehban Package Card and our recap of the Nigehban Package 3rd phase distribution recap in Ramadan 2024. You can find more guides on the 8171passgov.com.pk homepage.