Islamabad – The federal government has unveiled a comprehensive Ramadan Package for 2025, under which Rs 20 billion will be disbursed in direct cash transfers to support deserving individuals during the holy month of Ramadan.
This initiative aims to provide immediate financial relief to nearly four million beneficiaries across the country.
A day earlier, the Senate was informed about the details of this Ramadan Package, which focuses on cash-based assistance rather than subsidized goods. Responding to queries from lawmakers Shahdat Awan and Sherry Rehman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain assured that provincial governments would also adopt similar cash transfer models to ensure uniform relief efforts nationwide.
Clarifying concerns regarding the future of Utility Stores Corporation (USC), the minister dismissed claims about its shutdown, stating that the corporation is undergoing restructuring through privatization. The move is intended to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery, allowing beneficiaries of the Ramadan Package to access essential goods more effectively.
Meanwhile, the Senate also addressed the concerns of protesting government employees, with legislators expressing frustration over the financial hardships faced by low-grade public servants. They criticized the contradiction between the government’s claims of controlling inflation and the struggles of underpaid employees demanding fair wages.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the House that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to engage with the protesting employees and find a resolution at the earliest. “The finance minister is in direct contact with them to address their genuine concerns, and a resolution is expected within the next two days,” he added.
The debate also touched upon the government’s rightsizing initiative targeting 43 ministries and their 400 attached departments, which is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2025. While the move faced criticism, the Law Minister reassured that employee rights would be safeguarded, emphasizing that the primary objective of rightsizing is to ease the financial burden on the economy while redirecting funds towards economic growth and job creation.
Additionally, the Societies Registration Amendment Ordinance, 2024, was laid before the House, marking another key legislative development. The session commenced with prayers (Fateha) for those who lost their lives in recent terrorism-related incidents across the country.
The Ramadan Package represents the government’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, ensuring financial relief during the sacred month, and promoting economic stability through targeted welfare initiatives.