Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed satisfaction over the successful implementation of the Ramadan Relief Package 2025, commending the use of digital wallets for the first time for ensuring transparent and efficient distribution of funds to deserving citizens across Pakistan.

Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister congratulated the government team and all supporting institutions, including the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and NADRA, for their effective coordination. He noted that the innovative use of digital wallets made it easier for beneficiaries to receive their entitled relief funds with dignity and ease.

Digital wallet model milestone

"For the first time, the Ramadan Relief Package was disbursed through digital wallets, which ensured a transparent and hassle-free experience," said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He emphasized that this model should now be replicated in other government welfare schemes to enhance transparency and efficiency in service delivery.

The Ramadan package covered the entire country, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A total of 1.9 million payments were made under the scheme, out of which 950,000 payments were processed via digital wallets. The digital platform also facilitated transactions for 823,000 women and 2,541 special persons, reflecting the government’s inclusive approach.

Briefing highlights

Officials informed the PM that 79% of the allocated funds reached deserving recipients transparently. A total of 2,224 government employees were deputed for the execution of the relief plan. Furthermore, 1,273 complaints regarding the relief package were received and addressed promptly. The prime minister also directed that the complaints arising from the Ramadan Relief Package should be taken into account.

Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer, Ahad Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, and Shaza Fatima, along with Special Assistant to the PM Haroon Akhtar and the governor of the State Bank, were among the participants of the meeting. Later, the federal ministers held a news conference to provide details of the meeting.

Credit to teamwork and innovation

Federal Minister Rana Tanveer noted that transferring money through digital wallets was once considered impossible, but thanks to strong teamwork, the goal was achieved. He also acknowledged Shaza Fatima for proposing the digital wallet idea.

Shaza Fatima highlighted the broader impact of the program, stating, “This is the first time Rs20 billion were digitally transferred in a government welfare project. Many Pakistanis don’t have access to banking, but this initiative helped open 950,000 digital wallets and enabled 1.9 million digital transactions."

She added that this initiative also removed the need for people to stand in long queues for food or cash handouts during Ramadan. “Millions of people were helped with dignity and privacy,” she said.

The PM emphasized that complaints raised during the implementation phase must be addressed thoroughly, and instructed for third-party audits to ensure transparency and accountability.