KARACHI – February 20, 2026: Mian Zahid Hussain, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum & All Karachi Industrial Alliance, Chairman National Business Group Pakistan, Chairman Policy Advisory Board FPCCI, and Former Provincial Minister Information Technology, has lauded the federal and provincial governments for their proactive measures to provide relief to the masses ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. However, he emphasized that the success of these multi-billion-rupee initiatives depends entirely on strict administrative oversight to prevent undue profiteering and hoarding.
Mian Zahid Hussain highlighted the Prime Minister’s Ramadan Relief Package, valued at Rs. 38 billion, which is set to benefit 12.1 million deserving families across the country. He noted that the transition to a digital disbursement system is a landmark move to ensure transparency.
“The decision to increase the one-time cash assistance from Rs 5,000 to Rs 13,000 per family via digital wallets is a significant step in preserving the dignity of citizens,” he stated. He also welcomed the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) immediate release of Rs 19 billion to ensure the timely commencement of the program, supported by the creation of 1.4 million new beneficiary accounts.
At the provincial level, the business leader praised the targeted approaches under the “Nigehban Ramadan Programme,” Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has initiated the distribution of Ramadan Cards worth Rs 10,000 to over 4 million families, with approximately 450,000 cards already in circulation.
The launch of the “KP Ramadan Relief Plan 2026” introduces district-level price monitoring desks and dedicated WhatsApp complaint numbers to ensure real-time accountability, while coordinated efforts through Sahulat Bazaars and Sasta Bazaars are being scaled up to provide essential commodities at subsidized rates in Sindh and Balochistan.
Mian Zahid Hussain pointed out that while the national Consumer Price Index (CPI) remains within a stable range of 5.8% (as of January 2026), the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) shows volatility in specific food items. “While we see a weekly decrease of 0.59% in the SPI, the year-on-year increase in staples like tomatoes (73.3%) and wheat flour (33.8%) remains a burden,” he observed. He stressed that the 3.9% food inflation recorded in January must be kept in check through administrative “magistracy” powers to prevent hoarders from creating artificial shortages.
The veteran business leader urged the Ministry of Finance and provincial chief secretaries to ensure that the Rs 1 billion allocated for operational expenses is utilized effectively for market monitoring. He called for a crackdown on “hoarders” who exploit the seasonal surge in demand for items like pulses, ghee, and sugar.
“The government has done its part by allocating resources; now the local administration must ensure that the benefit of every rupee reaches the common man’s kitchen,” Mian Zahid Hussain concluded.
