The CM Punjab Ration Card Program is a significant social welfare initiative launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in 2025. The primary goal is to provide essential food security and financial support to low-income families across the province, helping them cope with inflation and rising living costs.
This program, part of a broader social protection agenda, aims to benefit approximately 1.25 million deserving households by offering monthly financial assistance of PKR 3,000 to purchase groceries. The initiative emphasizes transparency and dignity, utilizing a digital smart card linked to the beneficiary’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) to ensure aid reaches the correct people without long queues or misuse.
Key Features and Objectives
The program moves away from traditional, ad-hoc relief packages towards a sustainable and technology-driven system.
Objectives:
- To provide monthly financial support to meet basic food expenses.
- To eliminate food insecurity and hunger in Punjab.
- To ensure transparency in aid distribution through a secure, digital system.
Key Benefits:
- Monthly financial assistance of PKR 3,000.
- Access to discounts on essential items like flour (atta), sugar, rice, and cooking oil.
- Dignified service without long waits for ration collection.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for the CM Punjab Ration Card Program is determined through the Punjab Social & Economic Registry (PSER) survey. The criteria are designed to target the most vulnerable families who are not already receiving benefits from other government programs.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Residency | Must be a permanent resident of Punjab. |
| Income Level | Monthly household income less than PKR 50,000. |
| PSER Score | Poverty Means Test (PMT) score below 35. |
| Government Status | Not a government employee or beneficiary of BISP/other schemes. |
| Documentation | Valid CNIC and a registered mobile number are mandatory. |
How to Register or Check Status
Registration is primarily conducted through the PSER survey, which involves government teams visiting households to collect data. Households already registered under the Nigehban Ramzan Package are automatically considered for this program.
Steps to Check Eligibility or Register:
- PSER Survey: Ensure your household details are updated in the ongoing PSER survey pser.punjab.gov.pk.
- E-Khidmat Markaz: Visit your nearest e-Khidmat Markaz for assistance with registration or status checks.
- Online Portal: While direct online applications may not be the primary method, status checks are available on the official PSER website by logging in with your CNIC.
The program is a crucial step towards ensuring food security for the working class and daily wage earners of Punjab.
