Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Programme Expanded as Punjab Allocates Rs43.2 Billion for Workers

The Punjab government has announced a major expansion of the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Programme, allocating an additional Rs43.2 billion for the financial year 2026-27 to support registered workers across the province.

After releasing Rs28 billion to 1.2 million registered workers under the scheme, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif approved the new allocation.

Punjab now has a record 1,403,063 registered workers, according to an official statement. As of yet, 1,244,130 workers have been provided with their Maryam Nawaz Ration Cards, and the printing of 4,984 more is ongoing.

The ration card programme allows qualified workers to buy necessary food items worth Rs3,000 per month from over 62,000 ration shops in Punjab.

The chief minister also granted approval to continue Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Programme for financial year 2026-27, thus continuing financial support for workers.

The officials said that the ration card initiative is benefiting over 100,000 workers linked to the Suthra Punjab Programme.

Maryam Nawaz, while presiding over a review meeting, asked the officials to scale up the number of registered workers for the financial assistance to be distributed through the programme.

Punjab Labour Minister Manshaullah Butt and Labour Secretary Danish Afzal gave an update on the scheme and its future plans to Chief Minister at the meeting.

Maryam Nawaz stated that ensuring financial protection of all labourers and workers is the mandate of the Punjab government. She directed the officials to increase the ration card project beneficiaries to give relief to deserving workers.

With the expansion of the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card Programme, social welfare initiatives in Punjab are likely to be bolstered, as it removes the financial burden from low-income families while supplying food assistance every month.