Prime Minister's Ramadan Relief Package to be launched today

The Prime Minister's Ramadan Relief Package 2024, worth Rs 7.5 billion, will be launched today, through the Utility Stores Corporation (USC). 

The initiative offers subsidised prices on 19 essential food items, including flour, ghee, edible oil, sugar, pulse gram, white gram, besan, dates, rice, tea, spices, milk, and beverages, during the holy month, according to a USC spokesman.

He said that the USC will ensure the availability of sufficient stock of all items throughout Ramadan to meet public demand. Only the people registered with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) under the PMT-60 category, instead of PMT-40, encompassing roughly 200 million low-income families, qualify for the targeted subsidy, he said.

BISP beneficiaries receive discounted prices: Rs 648 for a 10kg flour bag, Rs 365 per kg for ghee, and Rs 109 per kg for sugar, the USC spokesman said. 

Additionally, they will have a Rs 25/lit subsidy on edible oil, he said. 

Further discounts apply to other items: Rs 25/kg for pulse gram and white gram, Rs 50/kg for besan and dates, Rs 25/kg for certain rice varieties, Rs 100 for 800g tea, and Rs 30/lit for packed milk, he said.

Spices and beverages will also be available at lower costs, he said. BISP families will receive specific quantities of certain items, including 20kg flour, 5kg each of sugar and ghee, 3kg each of rice, pulses, and cooking oil, while other items have no purchase restrictions, he noted.

Deserving individuals not registered with BISP can contact their regional office or designated Utility Stores to avail the package, the spokesman said. 

Beyond BISP, the USC offers special discounts on over 1,000 items for all customers, with lists displayed in stores.

Throughout Ramadan, all USC outlets will remain open to serve the public, he said. 

A monitoring cell at USC headquarters will address public concerns, he said. Additionally, vigilance teams across Pakistan will ensure transparency. 

The spokesman said the USC team remains dedicated to serving the public. For complaints, call the helpline number (0800-05590).