Punjab govt unveils ‘Maryam Nawaz Ration Card’ scheme

LAHORE: Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has officially launched the “Maryam Nawaz Ration Card” scheme, a new initiative aimed at ensuring food security for 40,000 mining workers across Punjab.

The scheme was inaugurated at a formal ceremony organised by the Mines and Minerals Department.

Provincial Minister for Mines, Sher Ali Gorchani, who served as the chief guest at the event, termed the initiative as a clear expression of the chief minister’s commitment to social justice and economic dignity for the working class.

“Mineral workers will get a monthly ration of up to Rs 3,000 through this scheme,” he said.

He further announced that the amount of this financial assistance would be increased in the future. “Punjab’s development agenda has been prepared – our focus is now not just on infrastructure but on human welfare and social equity.”

Highlighting the inclusion, the minister noted that many of the ration cards distributed at the event were given to workers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that every worker is important to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, regardless of the province he belongs to.

Gorchani also outlined the recent achievements of the Mines and Minerals Department, revealing that it has generated Rs30 billion in revenue through transparent e-auctions, setting a new benchmark for the governance of the mineral sector in the country.

Addressing the event, Secretary Mines and Minerals Pervaiz Iqbal Butt announced an increase in the welfare fund for mining workers from Rs700 million to Rs3 billion.

He also revealed a special relief package of Rs1.5 billion for the current year.

Butt said, “Our main objective is to ensure transparency and merit in the provision of benefits and services to workers.”

He announced new initiatives for the children of mine workers, including the distribution of free laptops, electric bikes, and educational scholarships to support their education and development.