Maryam Ke Mehman Program 2026 — Complete Punjab Ramadan Relief Initiative Overview
The Punjab government took a bold step as Ramadan approached by approving Rs 6 billion specifically for Nigehban Dastarkhwan under the Maryam Ke Mehman Program 2026, designed to reach 93,00,000 people across the province. When seen in the broader picture, the total Rs 47 billion commitment clearly shows the scale of this relief effort for deserving families across Punjab. This is not just a financial announcement but a structured welfare push focused on financial-help, basic-needs, and a strong welfare-initiative during the holy month.
What makes this initiative stand out is the intent behind it: no fasting individuals should go hungry. The program combines free-meals, subsidized-groceries, and cash-support for millions of families, led under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the Government of Punjab. From Nigehban Dastarkhwan setups to Sahulat Bazaar discounts, everything is designed to reduce inflation pressure on low-income households and provide dignity during Ramadan and even Eid preparations.
What is Maryam Ke Mehman Program 2026?
The Maryam Ke Mehman Program 2026, operating under the Ramzan Nigehban Package, establishes community Dastarkhwans across Punjab where iftar and sehri meals are served tehsil by tehsil. Each center serves around 2000 people daily, ensuring organized, nutritious meals for every guest, including laborers, travelers, and struggling families.
Under this initiative, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif personally supervised major welfare decisions including CM Ration Card, Sasta Bazaar access, and administrative reforms to improve delivery for underprivileged households. The goal is simple: reduce barriers and ensure direct access to support for those affected by rising costs and economic pressure.
What is Nigehban Dastarkhwan Under the Ramzan Nigehban Package?
Nigehban Dastarkhwan Maryam ke Mehman was rolled out across every tehsil and district of Punjab, where 2,000 fasting individuals received iftar daily without any registration barrier at the gate.
Known formally as Nigehban Dastarkhwan, this sits at the heart of the Nigehban Ramadan Package initiated by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for Ramadan 2026 a direct response to the struggles of fasting people, particularly the underprivileged, throughout the holy month.
The program’s Urdu identity, Maryam ke Mehman, itself carries a message: every person who comes to break their fast is a guest of Maryam.
Key Features of Maryam Ke Mehman Program 2026
Across Punjab, Free Iftari & Sehri is distributed in both urban and rural communities. Meals include dates, fruits, samosas, pakoras, and juices, carefully prepared under supervision of the Punjab Food Authority to ensure hygiene and food safety standards.
A major highlight is the Rs 10,000 Nigehban Card, which provides direct cash assistance to around 4 million families. This replaces older support levels of Rs 3,000 and improves monthly assistance. Alongside this, nearly 300 Dastarkhwan sites and multiple eight centres per tehsil ensure wide coverage. The system is also supported by Sahulat Bazaar and discounted groceries for essential relief.
Maryam Ke Mehman Program Budget & Financial Details
The Punjab government allocated Rs 6 billion specifically for Nigehban Dastarkhwan, while the overall budget envelope reaches Rs 47 billion. This includes food, cash support, and distribution systems across the province.
The program timeline started with structured rollout in January 30, 2026, ensuring smooth distribution, verified beneficiaries, and transparent processing. The focus remains on providing monthly support, essential items, and financial stability to millions of households during Ramadan.
Iftar Menu at Nigehban Dastarkhwan 2026
At every Dastarkhwan site, fasting individuals receive a complete iftar meal including dates, samosas, milk, Rooh Afza, bananas, and chicken biryani. These meals are designed to restore energy, support nutrition, and maintain balance after long fasting hours.
The entire food distribution system operates under strict supervision of the Punjab Food Authority, ensuring hygiene, meal quality, and consistent standards across all centers.
Nigehban Card Details, Distribution & Activation Process
he Nigehban Card is a digital smart-card system designed for transparent financial-aid distribution. It ensures accountable delivery through verified CNIC, registered mobile numbers, and PSER database checks.
Distribution takes place through collection centers, Bank of Punjab, and PITB-managed systems. Over 1 million cards have been printed with more than 10,000 activations completed. Beneficiaries can withdraw cash through ATMs, OneLink, or branchless-banking vendors, ensuring easy cash-withdrawal access.
Sasta Bazaar & Sahulat Bazaar Facilities in Ramadan 2026
- Across Punjab, 65 Sasta Bazaars operate in 30 districts, including mobile, permanent, and temporary Ramadan bazaars. These provide price-reductions on essentials like flour, ghee, chicken, and groceries.
- Under direct supervision of Maryam Nawaz Sharif, supply chains from flour mills, grocery merchants, and chicken suppliers ensure affordability throughout Ramadan.
Ramadan Monitoring & Transparency System
Citizens only needed:
A live dashboard monitoring system tracks distribution through phone-calls, cardholder verification, and official checks. The process is managed with a focus on transparency, preventing misuse and ensuring smooth delivery of aid.
Officials including commissioners, deputy commissioners, and assistant commissioners regularly inspect Dastarkhwan sites for cleanliness, security, and quality control.
Impact of Maryam Ke Mehman Program 2026
The infrastructure behind this was serious:
- 160 collection centers across Punjab
- Full management by PITB for transparency
- Dedicated Helpline: 08000 2345
By the time the program was in full swing:
- Over 1 million Nigehban Cards have been printed
- 10,000 distributions and activations have been completed
- The entire process remained digital, transparent, and PITB-managed
Bank of Punjab ATM Activation & Cash Withdrawal Process
A total of 136 activation centers were established.
Bank of Punjab ATMs enabled activation, while cash withdrawal was made possible through:
- Bank of Punjab branchless banking agents
- One Link network ATMs
- Designated vendors
for maximum reach.
Eligibility Criteria for Maryam Ke Mehman Program 2026
Beneficiary selection and verification were handled entirely through the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER), ensuring transparency and fair distribution without political interference.
Families could check their status using:
- 8070 SMS code
- PSER registration records
making the system accessible even to those with limited digital literacy.
Who Can Apply for Nigehban Ramadan Package?
Applicants needed to:
- Be a permanent resident of Punjab
- Hold a valid 13-digit CNIC
- Have no family members abroad
- Have no registered vehicle in the applicant’s name
PMT Score, Income & CNIC Requirements
Applicants were required to:
- Carry a monthly household income below Rs 45,000
- Have a PMT score below 30% in the PSER database
Priority Categories for Financial Assistance
Special priority was extended to:
- Widows
- Disabled individuals
- Daily wage workers
- Those not receiving major government aid through other channels
PSER Verification & 8070 SMS Check Method
Beneficiary verification was managed through the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER).
Families could verify eligibility through:
- PSER registration records
- 8070 SMS code system
This process helped maintain transparency and accessibility for low-income households across Punjab.
Sasta Bazaar & Sahulat Bazaar Facilities in Ramadan 2026
A total of 65 Sasta Bazaars were made operational across 30 districts of Punjab.
These worked alongside:
- Permanent Sasta Bazaars
- Mobile Sasta Bazaars
- Temporary Ramadan Bazaars
Temporary Ramadan bazaars were established in 11 districts to fill geographic gaps, all timed precisely to the Ramadan calendar.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif personally directed sweeping price reductions during Ramadan.
This included the establishment of stalls by:
- Flour mills
- Chicken suppliers
- Grocery merchants
- Ghee mill associations
ensuring every essential remained within reach.
Groceries and household essentials at discounted rates flowed through Sahulat Bazaars as a core pillar of the Maryam ke Mehman Program.
Ramadan Nigehban Dashboard Monitoring & Transparency System
A live Ramadan Nigehban dashboard was deployed alongside a counter-checking system using phone calls to cardholders.
The chief minister personally directed that the entire payment process remains simple and convenient for every beneficiary.
The Ramzan Nigehban Dashboard provided live tracking capabilities, while officials made direct calls to recipients to prevent misuse of the system.
Punjab Food Authority Monitoring at Dastarkhwan Sites
The following officials actively monitored arrangements:
- Commissioners
- Deputy commissioners
- Assistant commissioners
- Punjab Food Authority officials
Deputy Commissioner Inspections & Oversight Measures
In Muzaffargarh, the Deputy Commissioner visited MGM Marquee to personally review the Maryam Ke Mehman Dastarkhwan setup during Ramadan.
The inspection covered:
- Food quality
- Cleanliness
- Seating arrangements
- Discipline
- Security measures
Officials were directed to maintain the highest standards throughout the holy month.
