ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Appreciating the effective and transparent implementation of Ramazan Relief Package 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday directed the authorities concerned to emulate this model for the future government schemes.
Chairing a meeting here to review the implementation of the package, he lauded the performance of the government’s core team and supporting institutions, reports APP.
Shehbaz said under the package, a first-ever digital wallet was introduced, and funds were delivered to the beneficiaries transparently and smoothly.
The prime minister said the package was introduced countrywide including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and also appreciated the State Bank of Pakistan, Benazir Income Support Programme, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, National Database and Registration Authority, and other supporting institutions for ensuring transparency in the process.
He told the participants of the meeting that the complaints received during the execution of the Package would be considered for future planning.
During the briefing on the package’s implementation, the meeting was told that 79% of the funds had been delivered to the beneficiaries.
A total of 2,224 employees were deployed, and urgent steps were taken to resolve a total of 1,273 complaints received.
The committee was told that banks and other partnering institutions made 6.2 million robocalls, 178,700 outbound calls, and sent 6.1 million SMS messages to raise awareness about the facility.
Besides, the National Telecom Corporation’s call center handled 126,839 outbound and 158,551 inbound calls to guide people about the package.
Besides, 1.9 million digital payments were made, and 951,191 digital wallets were used, which was an important step towards realisation of the Digital Nation Pakistan vision.
The participants were told that 823,653 women and 2,541 persons with disabilities also used digital wallets to receive funds.
Moreover, a comprehensive awareness campaign on the Ramadan Package was conducted through the electronic, print, and social media.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant to PM Haroon Akhtar, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, relevant government officials, and representatives from the relevant private companies.
Meanwhile, the premier expressed satisfaction as the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surged 1800 points in a single day, reaching a historic milestone, with the KSE-100 index crossing all time high mark of 120,000 points.
In a statement issued by the PM Office, the prime minister said that positive direction of the business in Pakistan Stock Exchange reflected growing investor confidence on the government policies.
“The government has announced a significant decrease in the power tariffs which will not only give a massive relief to the domestic consumes but also it will be a welcoming sign for the business community and industrial sector,” the prime minster remarked.
He noted that during the last one year, improvement in the business environment and stability in macroeconomic indicators was possible only due to the government’s economic policies.
He assured that the government was providing all possible facilities to ensure business and investor friendly environment in the country.
In a message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Shaheed on his 46th death anniversary, remembering him as a champion of democratic values in Pakistan. The prime minister, in a statement, said the services of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in promoting democracy and democratic values in Pakistan would always be remembered.
He said under Bhutto’s leadership, Pakistan adopted the unanimous Constitution of 1973 who also played a key role in the unity of the Muslim Ummah.
Shehbaz also called up President Asif Ali Zardari and inquired after him.
The prime minster extended his best wishes for the president and prayed for his early recovery, saying the prayers of the entire nation were with him.
The prime minister also visited the Myanmar Embassy and signed the condolence book.
He was warmly received by the Ambassador Wunna Han, who thanked the prime minister for the visit and also for the relief goods provided by Pakistan for those affected by the quake.
The prime minister conveyed deepest condolences on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan to the government and people of Myanmar on the tragic loss of precious lives and widespread destruction caused by the earthquake.
He also emphasized that in this hour of grief, Pakistan stood with Myanmar in a spirit of friendship and compassion.
The Myanmar envoy, while appreciating the prime minister’s gracious gesture, conveyed best wishes for him and the people of Pakistan from the Myanmar leadership.
Sher Ali Khalti adds: Meanwhile, PMLN President Nawaz Sharif Friday congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for achieving record reduction in the electricity tariff for both domestic and industrial consumers.
Nawaz said the country was heading in the right direction under the leadership of Shehbaz, and owing to his efforts, cheaper electricity will not only provide substantial relief to the people but also enhance exports.
“During the tenure of PML-N, the masses always get economic relief. Continuous reduction in inflation speaks volumes for the excellent economic policies of the government,” Nawaz said, adding that the paths of progress were opening up and the youth will soon get employment opportunities.
