What is the Ramzan Nighehban Package?
Purpose of the Package
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To ensure families have sufficient grocery supplies for Sehri and Iftar—delivered directly to their doorstep to avoid long queues and public inconvenience.
To uphold citizens’ dignity: the relief is framed as a entitlement, not charity.
What the Package Contains
A typical ration pack includes food essentials such as:
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Flour (Aata), Rice, Cooking Oil/Ghee
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Sugar, Lentils (Daal)
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Dates, Gram Flour, Tea, Milk Powder
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Items are often packaged with QR codes to ensure transparent, accountable delivery.
Registration & Distribution
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Registration Period: Typically opens in early January and closes by mid-February (e.g. February 15, 2025)
How to Apply:
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Online: Via the PSER portal (pser.punjab.gov.pk)
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In-Person: At Union Councils or municipal offices (over 4,000 centers)
Notifications: Eligibility and distribution schedules are confirmed via SMS/email, including QR-coded hamper delivery.
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Delivery: Packets are delivered to homes, often tracked through QR codes scanned at distribution points.
Scale of the Program
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The program aims to assist millions of underprivileged families—some estimates cite over 30 million beneficiaries and 6 to 6.5 million ration hampers across the province.
Reports indicate distribution began as early as first week of Ramadan and continued seamlessly throughout the month.
Governance & Integrity
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The service is designed to be transparent, merit-based, and complaint-responsive. Beneficiaries scan QR codes for verification, and a helpline (0800‑02345) addresses grievances—typically within 72 hours.
Some fraud incidents were uncovered, including misuse of funds by officials—but authorities enacted strict action and recovery.
In Summary
The Ramazan Nighehban Package is a large-scale, welfare-driven Ramadan relief initiative by the Punjab government aimed at supporting qualifying low-income households with essential food and dignity-based delivery—backed by transparent processes and broad provincial reach.
Who announced the Ramzan Nighehban Package and when?
Key Details
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Who announced it?
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif officially launched the initiative. She oversaw launch preparations, stressed transparent delivery (no queues), and termed it a right of the needy, and a government duty. When was it announced?
The launch was officially communicated through government statements and media on January 24 and January 27, 2025 .Bottom Line
The Ramzan Nighehban Package was formally announced by CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif in late January 2025, positioning it as a merit-based, transparent, and dignity-preserving welfare initiative for low-income families across Punjab.
What is the purpose of this package during the month of Ramadan?
The purpose of the Ramzan Nighehban Package is to provide timely, dignified, and essential food relief to deserving low-income families across Punjab during the holy month of Ramadan. It addresses both economic hardship and the spiritual importance of ensuring no family goes hungry during fasting.
What’s Provided:
Each ration hamper typically includes:
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Flour, rice, oil/ghee, sugar
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Lentils, tea, milk powder
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Dates and other Ramadan staples
CM Maryam Nawaz's Vision:
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized that:
“This is not a favor, it is their right. No one should go without food in the holy month. We will reach them at their doors.”
Who is eligible to receive the Ramzan Nighehban Package?
To be eligible for the Ramzan Nighehban Package, a person must meet specific poverty and residency criteria defined by the Punjab government. The aim is to ensure that only truly deserving families receive the relief.
Eligibility Criteria Summary
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residency | Must be a permanent resident of Punjab with a valid CNIC |
| Income Level | Monthly household income under Rs. 60,000 |
| Poverty Score | Must be registered in PSER (Punjab Socio-Economic Registry) with a PMT score ≤ 30% |
| Asset Ownership | No personal vehicle registered in the applicant’s name |
| Other Welfare Access | Priority to those not receiving similar aid from other government schemes |
| Vulnerable Groups | Special preference for widows, orphans, disabled persons, and daily wage laborers |
| Household Role | Applicant must be the head of household |
How Eligibility Is Verified
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Eligibility is checked using data from the PSER system (rozgarschemehub.blogspot.com)
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Households with verified records automatically qualify; others must register and verify through local centers or helplines
How can a family check if they are registered for the package?
How to Check Registration Status
Online Method (via PSER Portal):
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Visit: https://pser.punjab.gov.pk
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Click on “Check Eligibility” or “Nighehban Ramzan Package”
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Enter your 13-digit CNIC number (without dashes)
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Submit to view your eligibility and registration status
SMS Method (if available):
While SMS verification was not widely reported, official helpline support may confirm status via your CNIC. Check if your local district administration has enabled SMS checking.
You can call the official helpline:
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0800-02345 (Toll-Free)
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Provide your CNIC and they will guide you on your status
Visit Your Nearest Center:
If online checking fails, visit:
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Union Council offices
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District Social Welfare offices
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Designated Ramadan Package Registration Centers
Bring:
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Your original CNIC
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Proof of income (if available)
Tips:
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If you're already registered in PSER with a PMT score ≤ 30, you're likely eligible automatically.
What items are included in the Nighehban Ramzan ration bag?
Items Typically Included in the Ration Bag:
| Item | Quantity (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Wheat Flour (Aata) | 10–20 kg |
| Sugar | 2–5 kg |
| Rice | 2–5 kg |
| Cooking Oil/Ghee | 1–2 liters |
| Lentils (e.g., daal) | 1–2 kg |
| Gram Flour (Besan) | 1 kg |
| Tea | 200–500 grams |
| Milk Powder | 400–500 grams (or liquid milk) |
| Dates | 500 grams – 1 kg |
| Salt, Spices | Small packs (optional) |
Notes:
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The contents may vary slightly depending on district, available stock, or family size.
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QR codes are often affixed to each bag for verification and transparency.
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The government emphasized quality control, with surprise checks to ensure clean, usable items are packed.
Are rural and urban families both eligible?
Yes, both rural and urban families in Punjab are eligible for the Nighehban Ramzan Package, as long as they meet the official eligibility criteria set by the government.
What Matters More Than Location:
The key eligibility factors are:
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Permanent residency in Punjab
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Valid CNIC
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Monthly household income below Rs. 60,000
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Poverty score ≤ 30% in the PSER system
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No vehicle ownership
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Head of household status
Distribution Access:
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Urban residents can receive deliveries or collect from local municipal offices or designated urban centers.
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Rural families are often served via Union Councils, patwar offices, or village-level distribution teams.
Is biometric verification required to receive the package?
Yes — biometric verification is required in most cases to receive the Ramzan Nighehban Package in Punjab.
Why Biometric Verification Is Needed
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After eligibility is confirmed via your PSER score and CNIC, you are required to undergo biometric (fingerprint) authentication before receiving funds or ration.
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This step is used to verify identity securely and prevent fraud. The package disbursal—typically cash via Bank of Punjab pay‑orders or delivery services—requires this step.
How Biometric Verification Works
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Registration & Eligibility Approval
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Your CNIC number and PSER credentials are used to determine your eligibility.
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Verification Step
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Visit a designated center (e.g. union council office, bank branch, or helpline facility).
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Provide your CNIC and complete a fingerprint scan.
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Some offices may also require a PIN code confirmation sent to your registered mobile.
Disbursement
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Once biometric verification is complete, you can collect the ration package or cash benefits either in-person or via delivery. In some cases, payments through branchless banking services are enabled post-biometric and PIN verification.
Summary Table
Requirement Details Biometric authentication Mandatory (fingerprint scan) before receiving benefit PIN verification Often used for additional confirmation via mobile Delivery method Collection at center, or home delivery post-verification via postal/agents Bottom Line:
Biometric verification is a mandatory part of receiving the Nighehban Ramadan assistance. It helps ensure only eligible beneficiaries receive the support—preventing misuse and improving transparency in disbursement.
Can one apply online to be included in the package?
Yes — eligible families can apply online to be included in the Ramzan Nighehban Package through the official PSER portal, in addition to offline options.
How to Apply Online
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Visit the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER) portal: pser.punjab.gov.pk
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Create an account using your CNIC and mobile number
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Complete the application form with accurate personal and household details
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Submit the form online before the deadline — you will receive an immediate confirmation via SMS or email.
Offline Methods (if needed)
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In-person registration is available at over 4,000 centers, including Union Council and municipal offices across Punjab
Mobile registration units are also dispatched in select areas to assist those without internet access
Important Dates
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Online and offline registration begins in mid-January 2025
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Registration deadline: February 15, 2025 — ensure to enroll before this date to qualify for the Ramadan package
Registration Requirements Summary
Step Details Create Account Via PSER portal using CNIC & mobile number Fill Form Provide household info, income, residency, etc. Submit Online confirmation via SMS/email Alternate Register in-person if no internet access Deadline Complete by February 15, 2025
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