Islamabad, February 4, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Tuesday that the government will unveil the Ramazan Relief Package this year without involving Utility Stores, aiming to prevent corruption and ensure high-quality commodities reach the public.
PM Shehbaz shared this decision during his televised remarks at the federal cabinet meeting, emphasizing that the Ministry of National Food Security had been instructed to devise the Ramazan Package without the involvement of Utility Stores.
“As the Holy Ramazan approaches, I have asked the Ministry to create a package that excludes Utility Stores to prevent corruption and the sale of low-quality items,” Prime Minister Shehbaz stated. He also recalled that he had raised concerns several months ago regarding the ongoing issues with Utility Stores and their management of last year’s Ramazan Package. The government had received numerous complaints about the poor execution and substandard products distributed through these outlets. To address this, the government has opted for an alternative solution to ensure the provision of quality goods to the people during the holy month.
In addition to this announcement, the Prime Minister extended his condolences for the tragic death of policeman Abdul Khaliq, who was killed while providing security for a polio vaccination team in Jamrud. The Prime Minister praised his sacrifice and reiterated the government’s commitment to making Pakistan a polio-free nation. He also acknowledged the tireless efforts of key health officials, including Dr. Mukhtar and Dr. Ayesha Farooq, for their role in the ongoing polio eradication campaign.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister also informed the cabinet about his visit to Quetta, where he met with security personnel injured in an anti-terror operation in Kalat, which resulted in the martyrdom of 18 security forces and the elimination of 23 terrorists. He expressed his deep respect for the brave personnel who continue to fight terrorism despite the tragic policies of previous governments, which led to the release of numerous terrorists.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister celebrated the recent drop in inflation, which fell to a nine-year low of 2.4% compared to 28.73% the previous month. He praised the efforts of the finance ministry, the FBR, and other stakeholders for their work in curbing inflation. He expressed optimism about Pakistan’s future economic growth, highlighting that the government’s focus will now shift toward driving economic recovery.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the recent agreement with Saudi Arabia, where the Kingdom will provide oil worth $1.2 billion annually on deferred payments, along with a loan for a $40 million water supply project in Mansehra.
Lastly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the nation to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Wednesday, expressing unwavering support for the people of Kashmir. He also acknowledged the approval of agricultural income tax by all four provinces, a significant step in meeting the IMF’s conditions. He thanked political leaders, including Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Mian Nawaz Sharif, for their cooperation on this issue.
