LAHORE: In its maiden meeting, the 18-member Punjab cabinet has approved the Ramazan Negahban Relief Package 2024 to provide essential food items to needy people.

Under the programme, around 6.5 million packages will be delivered at the doorsteps of deserving families with an estimated 30m residents of Punjab benefitting from the programme.

While presiding over the cabinet meeting on Thursday, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered the Punjab Food Authority and district administrations to ensure the quality of food items being provided under the programme.

She also directed the Urban Unit and Special Branch of Punjab Police to submit a daily report on the delivery of relief packages after conducting physical surveys.

“The delivery of hampers will be monitored through an app and dashboard developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board,” she said, and tasked provincial ministers with monitoring the distribution of hampers.

CM meets ASP Shehrbano, hails her bravery

Ms Sharif warned that profiteers and hoarders would be severely punished during Ramazan, and price control magistrates should be trained to effectively check price hikes.

The cabinet also approved model Ramazan bazaars to be set up at district levels to provide subsidised commodities to common people.

She said a special ministerial committee will be constituted to monitor the relief programme effectively.

The CM also congratulated Ramesh Singh Arora, the first Sikh minister of Punjab, and expressed hope that all cabinet members would live up to the expectations of people.

CM meets ASP

The chief minister also met ASP Shehrbano Naqvi, who briefed her on last month’s incident in Lahore’s Ichhra area when the cop rescued a woman from a mob.

“ASP Shehrbano has set an example of bravery and courage for the young officers,” she said while praising the officer for saving the woman from the mob which had accused her of committing blasphemy.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2024