ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the top leaders of Qatar and Oman on Saturday to extend Eid Al-Fitr greetings and reaffirm his country’s desire to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, his office said.
Pakistan has actively sought to strengthen ties with Gulf nations in recent years, with countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates providing generous financial assistance to Islamabad amid a prolonged economic crisis.
Pakistan continues to seek foreign investment and opportunities to send more skilled labor to the region and boost remittance inflows, a critical component of its economy. High-level visits, investment dialogues and export-related events have been held across Gulf states as part of these efforts.
The phone calls to the Qatari and Omani leaders came ahead of Eid Al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and amid preparations for increased economic engagement.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic call with the Amir of the State of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani today and conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to the Amir and the brotherly people of Qatar on Eid ul Fitr,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
“The two leaders also reaffirmed their common desire to further strengthen the close brotherly relations in the trade and investment,” it added. “To carry forward discussions on investment, it was agreed that a delegation from Qatar shall visit Pakistan immediately after Eid.”
Sharif also expressed appreciation for Qatar’s diplomatic efforts, particularly in Gaza, and recalled his visit to Doha last October, where he attended the Manzar cultural exhibition hosted by Sheikha Al Mayassa. He proposed holding a similar exhibition in Lahore, a suggestion the Qatari leader reportedly accepted.
In a separate phone call, the prime minister spoke with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, exchanging Eid greetings and expressing Pakistan’s interest in expanding cooperation across all sectors.
“The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction on the recent successful visit of Pakistan’s Commerce Minister to Muscat, which would pave the way for the two sides to explore mutually beneficial avenues for cooperation,” said the PM Office in another statement.
“The Prime Minister also reiterated his invitation to the Sultan of Oman and requested him to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience,” it added.
The Omani Sultan warmly reciprocated the Eid greetings and conveyed his best wishes for the people of Pakistan.
Pakistan PM greets Gulf leaders ahead of Eid, discusses trade and investment
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Pakistan PM greets Gulf leaders ahead of Eid, discusses trade and investment
- Shehbaz Sharif called the top leaders of Qatar and Oman and discussed bilateral relations
- Qatar will send a delegation to Pakistan to evaluate investment options immediately after Eid
Pakistan launches $136 million Ramadan relief package for 12.1 million families
- Rs13,000 per family to be transferred via bank accounts, mobile wallets under cashless system
- Pakistan’s national space agency says the Muslim fasting month is likely to begin from Feb. 19
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday launched a Rs38 billion ($136 million) Ramadan relief package, pledging direct digital cash transfers of Rs13,000 ($47) each to 12.1 million low-income families across Pakistan.
Pakistan’s national space agency announced a day earlier the Ramadan crescent would likely be visible on Feb. 18, with the first fast expected to fall on Feb. 19, subject to official confirmation.
The government will distribute the relief package through bank accounts and regulated mobile wallet platforms, fully replacing the previous utility store-based subsidy model with a digital payment mechanism overseen by the State Bank of Pakistan.
“This year, Rs38 billion have been allocated ... that will not only be distributed to the rightful people in all four provinces, but also to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir through these wallets and digital bank accounts,” the prime minister said during a ceremony in the federal capital, adding that 12.1 million families would benefit.
The allocation marks a sharp increase from last year’s Rs 20 billion ($72 million) Ramadan program, as the government expands coverage and deepens its shift toward cash-based targeted subsidies.
Officials said Rs28 billion ($101 million) has been earmarked for families not currently receiving support under any federal income assistance program, while an additional Rs10 billion ($36 million) will go to those already registered under existing social protection schemes.
Syed Imran Shah, federal minister for poverty alleviation and social security, said the digital framework would allow transfers to be made in a “safe, effective and easy way,” reducing leakages and preserving beneficiaries’ dignity by eliminating long queues and physical distribution centers.
Amir Ali Ahmed, secretary of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), said the 2026 rollout builds on last year’s digital transition, when around two million beneficiaries received payments electronically.
A third-party validation report issued in December 2025 confirmed the transparency and operational effectiveness of the system, he added.
The prime minister said he would personally oversee periodic reviews of the program to ensure timely disbursement.
The government had scrapped the Utility Store-based Ramadan subsidy system last year, arguing that it led to quality concerns, long queues and administrative inefficiencies.
The digital transfer model aims to move toward a targeted subsidy regime aligned with broader efforts to expand financial inclusion and reduce cash-based leakages.
