KP Ramadan Relief: Who Qualifies, How Much Amount?
News Desk
Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a Ramadan relief package aimed at supporting low-income and vulnerable families across the province, with more than one million households set to benefit.
However, concerns have emerged over delays in the data collection and distribution process.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the initiative is intended to provide financial relief to citizens struggling with inflation.
“The aim of the Ramadan package is to provide relief to low-income citizens affected by inflation,” he said, adding that authorities have been directed to ensure transparency and avoid delays in the disbursement process.
Under the Ramadan Package 2026, each eligible family will receive Rs12,500, an increase from last year’s Rs10,000.
According to officials, over one million families will benefit this year, compared to 850,000 families who received assistance in the previous Ramadan.
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Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Shafi Jan said the distribution process has formally begun and that payments will be transferred within the first ten days of Ramadan. “Despite limited provincial resources, it is our responsibility to provide financial support to deserving citizens in an efficient manner,” he stated.
Deputy commissioners across all districts have been directed to collect data of eligible individuals so that funds can be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Social welfare officials said the payments will be made strictly on the basis of verified data submitted by district administrations.
According to the Social Welfare Directorate, the provincial government has allocated approximately Rs13 billion for the scheme and plans to distribute Rs12,500 per beneficiary. Orphans, widows and persons with disabilities have been declared eligible for the package, while temporarily displaced persons will not qualify under the current criteria.
District-wise allocations show that Peshawar will have the highest number of beneficiaries at 108,500, followed by 67,500 in Swat, 60,486 in Mardan, and more than 40,000 in Charsadda.
However, the decision to authorize members of national and provincial assemblies to nominate up to 5,000 beneficiaries each has sparked criticism. Public representatives are tasked with collecting data and forwarding it to district administrations and the Social Welfare Department for verification before payments are made.
Faridullah, a resident of Peshawar, expressed concern that the involvement of elected representatives could politicize the selection process. He alleged that some lawmakers may prioritize their own supporters while ignoring others on political grounds.
Citizens have also voiced apprehension that delays in initiating the data collection process could slow down the timely distribution of funds during Ramadan.
Despite the concerns, provincial authorities maintain that the relief initiative will be implemented transparently and efficiently to ensure financial assistance reaches deserving families during the holy month.
