he Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a Rs 12.8 billion Ramazan Relief Package aimed at supporting more than one million deserving families across the province, alongside sweeping price control measures to curb profiteering, hoarding and artificial inflation during the holy month.

Approved by the provincial cabinet last week, the package provides Rs 12,500 to each eligible family through a digital payment system. The amount will be transferred directly to the head of each household. Government and semi-government employees are not eligible.

After the cabinet meeting, Shafi Jan, the chief minister’s special assistant on information and public relations, issued a statement saying that priority would be given to the most vulnerable segments of society, including widows, orphans, persons with disabilities, transgender persons, destitute individuals and victims of natural disasters and terrorism. To ensure timely relief, the government has directed the authorities to complete the distribution by the eighth of Ramazan.

Another meeting for Ramazan preparations was held at Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Reviewing arrangements for the holy month, the chief minister declared public relief a top priority and ordered strict enforcement of official price lists across the province.

He warned that hoarding and arbitrary pricing would not be tolerated and directed authorities to take strict legal action against those involved in engineering price hikes. He also instructed officials to establish Ehsaas Ramazan Dastarkhwaan in every district to provide free sehri and iftar meals to deserving individuals.

In addition, he directed that Dastarkhwaan facilities be set up at all entry points of the province to facilitate passengers. Special instructions were issued to ensure quality food for sehri and iftar at orphanages, Darul Aman centres and shelter homes. The chief minister said he would personally monitor Ramazan arrangements across the province.

To strengthen food security, the cabinet approved the procurement of 175,000 metric tonnes of wheat at a cost exceeding Rs 19 billion. It also approved the de-regulation of sugar market to ensure stable supply in the market.

As part of the enforcement drive, 146 price monitoring desks have been established across all districts and 161 additional price control magistrates appointed to enhance oversight.

On the directions of Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, district administrations have intensified inspections to ensure compliance with officially notified rates of essential commodities.

According to the chief secretary’s office, indiscriminate action is under way against hoarding, adulteration and profiteering. Officials from the Food Department, Halal Food Authority and police have been directed to conduct daily market inspections throughout Ramazan.

The government is maintaining close coordination with market associations and traders to ensure that relief measures translate into tangible benefits for citizens. District administrations have been instructed to enforce regulations firmly but respectfully, ensuring that all citizens, including small shopkeepers and street vendors, are treated within the ambit of the law.

A comprehensive plan has also been devised for traffic management, market cleanliness and curbing organised beggary during the holy month. In consultation with religious scholars, awareness campaigns will be launched through Friday sermons to discourage overpricing, adulteration and unethical market practices.

Dedicated WhatsApp complaint numbers have been issued in all districts to enable citizens to report overpricing, hoarding or shortages of essential commodities. Complaints can also be registered through the Marastyal mobile application, providing an additional digital channel for public feedback.

Kohat Division Commissioner Syed Moa’tasim Billah Shah chaired a meeting to review price control and administrative arrangements for Ramazan. The meeting, attended by relevant officials via Zoom, decided that price magistrates, the Food Department, Halal Food Authority and police would conduct coordinated daily inspections.

Authorities in Kohat have been directed to ensure the availability of essential commodities, including sugar, milk, meat, vegetables, fruits, pulses and ghee, at officially notified rates. Strict monitoring of fruit and vegetable market auctions will also be carried out to prevent price manipulation.

Shopkeepers have been instructed to prominently display official prices and strict action has been ordered against hoarders and violators. Deputy commissioners have also been tasked with overseeing Ramazan Dastarkhwaan and iftar arrangements across the division.

Across the province, district administrations have begun implementing the government’s directives. Upper Kurram’s assistant commissioner Khalid Imran says that official price lists have been issued after consultation with traders to regulate the prices of essential commodities.

He says assistant commissioners, additional assistant commissioners and tehsildars will remain in the field throughout Ramazan to conduct daily inspections and ensure compliance with notified rates.

“Daily price checks and monitoring will be carried out to prevent overcharging and ensure the availability of essential items to the public.”

The writer is a multimedia producer. He tweets @daudpasaney.