Shehbaz Sharif’s Ramazan relief plan has received less funding than expected after the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved a reduced amount, citing financial discipline. The decision means the package is short by about Rs6 billion compared to what was initially required to support millions of low-income families.
According to official details, the government needed around Rs29 billion to provide Rs13,000 cash assistance to nearly 2.1 million families along with operational costs. However, the ECC approved about Rs23.5 billion instead. The Finance Ministry stated that Rs19 billion had already been allocated in the current budget, and additional funds would be released later if needed, depending on available financial space.
The relief programme is being managed through the Benazir Income Support Programme framework, and authorities say funds will be released in phases. Officials warned that the funding gap could force the government to either reduce the number of beneficiaries or lower the amount of financial assistance unless more money is arranged.
Earlier, the government had announced a larger Ramazan package worth Rs38 billion, but this figure also included Rs10 billion linked to routine increases in stipends under existing social welfare commitments. Despite combining different funding sources, officials acknowledged that the relief package still faces a financial shortfall.
Finance authorities said strict monitoring and audits would be conducted to ensure transparency in distributing funds to deserving families. The government aims to start payments soon so that beneficiaries can receive support during the holy month of Ramazan across Pakistan.
