LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari claimed on Sunday that the provincial government’s Ramadan Nighaban relief package has entered its final phase, with over 2.8 million of the targeted 3 million relief cards already distributed across districts — achieving 95 percent of its goal.
According to her, more than 25.29 million rupees have been disbursed to citizens via these cards, with over 90 percent of recipients having already received their funds.
Uzma Bukhari also highlighted the government’s “Mere Mehman” initiative, noting that 422 public iftar tables across Punjab are serving thousands daily, with food safety teams deployed to ensure quality. She praised Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for setting a “public example” through large-scale iftar arrangements and claimed the relief was distributed “on merit” — implicitly contrasting it with opposition efforts.
However, the minister’s statement comes a day after a report revealed that Rawalpindi district authorities abruptly shut down all government-run Nighaban dastarkhwans for laborers and daily wage workers — citing austerity measures amid economic strain. Witnesses described scenes of confusion as fasting citizens arrived at sunset to find tents, banners, and even flex boards bearing Maryam Nawaz’s image removed — with no food served and no official explanation provided. Shopkeepers confirmed the closures were ordered by district administration under budget constraints.
The contrast between the government’s public claims and ground-level closures has sparked public debate over the sustainability and equity of relief efforts during Ramadan.
