KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a Ramazan package worth Rs22.5 billion aimed at supporting 60 per cent of the population, particularly those who earn a minimum wage of between Rs32,000 and Rs35,000 per month.

The targeted families will receive Rs5,000 cash each through banks.

The mechanism for programme will be announced within the next two days.

Meanwhile, the CM directed all divisional commissioners to start a crackdown on hoarders and profiteers from Friday and report him.

He took these decisions while presiding over a meeting regarding the Ramazan package and other arrangements, including price control.

During a briefing to the chief minister, the chief secretary informed the CM that there were 4.5 million deserving families in the province who were earning between Rs32,000 and Rs35,000 per month or less.

The CM said that these families constituted 60 per cent of the population, and he decided to provide them with a Ramazan package of Rs5,000 cash each.

The total subsidy amount for this initiative is expected to be Rs22.5 billion.

He instructed the chief secretary to determine the number of eligible families to ensure that no one is left behind.

He also directed him to talk to banks to distribute the allocated Rs22.5 billion.

The chief minister directed all divisional commissioners to start a crackdown on the profiteers and hoarders.

He directed the IG police to give instructions to the district police to support the district administration in price control exercise.

The chief minister instructed the K-Electric, Hyderabad Electric Supply Company, and Sukkur Electric Power Company not to implement loadshedding during Iftar and Sehar.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2024