Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the largest 'Ramazan Nigehban Package' to provide a subsidy of forty-seven billion rupees to benefit ten million people across the province. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sharif to review advance preparations for Ramazan and public relief initiatives.

According to Radio Pakistan, under the package, forty-two lakh deserving families will be provided ten thousand rupees each during the holy month of Ramazan. More than twenty lakh beneficiaries will receive Ramazan Nigehban Cards, enabling them to withdraw cash as well as purchase essential commodities.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized that no deserving family should feel alone during Ramazan, and the government will stand by the poor in their joys and sorrows. She urged affluent citizens to help deserving people in their surroundings and highlighted that serving humanity brings blessings in both this world and the hereafter.

The Punjab Chief Minister also appreciated the performance of Deputy Commissioners involved in beautification efforts and directed others to improve their performance. The meeting also approved Chief Minister Rashan Card, Nigehban Dastarkhwan, Sasta Bazaar projects, and other administrative arrangements.

Rashan card holders will receive ten thousand rupees instead of the existing three thousand rupees during Ramazan. A Ramazan Nigehban Dashboard will also be established to ensure effective monitoring, while a counter-verification mechanism through calls to card holders will be introduced.

The meeting also approved the establishment of eight 'Nigehban Dastarkhwan - Maryam Kay Mehman' in every tehsil during Ramazan, where daily Iftar will be provided to two thousand fasting people. Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Assistant Commissioners were directed to ensure regular monitoring, while the Punjab Food Authority will conduct daily inspections.

It was further informed that sixty-five Sasta Bazaars will remain functional in thirty districts during Ramazan, while additional temporary Ramazan Sasta Bazaars and on-the-go facilities will be set up in other districts. The Chief Minister directed immediate identification of land for Sasta Bazaars in sixty tehsils.