ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that over 15 million households in Pakistan will get free flour in the holy month of Ramadan, which commences later this month, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Monday.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.
The first fast in Pakistan is likely to be observed on Thursday, March 23, with the Ruet-e-Hilal committee, which sights the new moon and announces the start of Ramadan, scheduled to meet on March 22.
Earlier this month, Pakistani media widely reported that the Economic Coordination Committee had approved a Rs 5 billion Ramadan Relief Package for the Utility Stores Corporation, a Pakistani state-owned enterprise that operates chain stores throughout the country that provide basic commodities to the general public at prices lower than the open market because the government subsidizes them.
“It is first time in history of country that a relief package has been prepared for provision of free flour to deserving people in Ramazan-ul-Mubarak,” Radio Pakistan quoted the PM as saying.
“He said free flour will be distributed to 15.8 million families of Punjab in Ramazan-ul-Mubarak ... distribution of free flour will be made from 25th Shaban to 25th Ramazan.”
The distribution will be done through the country’s 8,500 utility stores as well as 20,000 new points established “for convenience of the general public.”
