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Aftab Maken
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Thursday approved the immediate release of Rs 19 billion for the Prime Minister’s Ramzan Relief Package (PMRRP) 2026 to ensure the prompt commencement of disbursements ahead of the holy month.
The meeting was chaired remotely by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. It was attended by Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from the relevant ministries, divisions and regulatory bodies.
The ECC considered a summary submitted by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety seeking approval of Rs 25 billion for the PMRRP 2026. The Finance Division informed the Committee that Rs 19 billion had already been budgeted for the Ramzan package in the current financial year, while the remaining requirement would be released as and when necessary.
Accordingly, the ECC approved the immediate release of Rs 19 billion to facilitate timely disbursement. It was further agreed that any additional funds would be considered in line with evolving requirements and available fiscal space.
The Committee also deliberated on the operational expenditure component proposed in the summary and underscored the need for a detailed breakdown of costs, including payments to partner financial institutions and expenses related to outreach and communication. The ECC granted in-principal approval of Rs 1 billion for operational expenses, subject to the submission of comprehensive details to the Finance Division to ensure that allocations align with actual needs and financial rules.
Taking note of the urgency in initiating payments, the ECC regularized the steps already taken to facilitate early disbursement through re-appropriated funds. It was agreed that expenditures would be managed in accordance with Pakistan’s fiscal commitments and that any unutilized funds would be surrendered as per established procedures.
As outlined in the summary placed before the Committee, the overall size of the Prime Minister’s Ramzan Relief Package 2026 stands at Rs 39 billion. Of this amount, Rs 10 billion is already available with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), while Rs 29 billion has been arranged through three components considered by the ECC: a Technical Supplementary Grant, operational expenditures, and the regularization of re-appropriated funds. This financing structure ensures that the package is fully resourced while maintaining fiscal discipline and transparency.
