LAHORE: Consumers will be provided Rs10 to Rs16 discount on every one kilogram pack of ghee and cooking oil during Ramazan.

This was announced by Special Assistant to Chief Minister Salma Butt on Monday after holding a meeting with the representatives of the Pakistan Ghee Mills Association, where Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Director General Asim Javaid was also present.

The special assistant stated that during Ramazan, a discount of Rs10 to Rs16 per one kg/litre pack will be offered on all ghee and oil products to the consumers.

She said that in case of reduction in the palm oil prices in the future, further immediate price relief will be provided to the consumers, in consultation with the industry.

She said that recommendations have been sought to further improve the quality of ghee and oil in the market.

The PFA DG said that affordable and modern methods are available to reduce trans-fatty acids and that ghee quality and testing processes are being upgraded in accordance with international standards.

He said that strict action would be taken against the supply of substandard ghee in the market.

Mr Javed said that representatives of the ghee mills appreciated the PFA for guiding the industry on quality improvement and unit management. He added that international SOPs have been implemented in oil and ghee mills across Punjab.

The association chairman said that ample supply of quality ghee would be ensured in the market during Ramazan.

Financial assistance: Punjab Social Security Department has started provision of Rs10,000 each to the workers as Ramazan financial assistance, distributing Rs2 billion among the beneficiaries on the first day on Monday.

Social Security Commissioner Zulfiqar Ali Kharl stated that the distribution of the financial assistance under the Nigehban Ramazan Programme and Maryam Nawaz Ration Card scheme is in progress.

The commissioner conducted surprise visits to the social security directorates of Lahore city and Shahdara to check the distribution of the relief amount, where workers’ biometric verification was being carried out.

The commissioner also visited industrial units located in Shahdara and reviewed the distribution of Maryam Nawaz Ration Cards among the registered workers. On this occasion, he personally inspected the biometric verification process of the workers.

During the visits, the commissioner interacted with the workers and got their feedback regarding the ration card and directed the officials to expedite the distribution process of both schemes.

The commissioner said that on the chief minister’s direction, the financial assistance for the card-holders has been increased from Rs3,000 to Rs10,000 during Ramazan.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026