In Punjab, Pakistan, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif started a new plan called the Ration/Rashan Card on April 30, 2025. It’s a big idea to help over 1.25 million families who don’t have much money, especially workers like factory helpers or miners. The government is spending Rs. 84 billion to make sure these families can buy food easily. Here’s a simple guide to understand this programme.

What Is the Ration Card?

The Ration Card is a digital SME Card for financial assistance. Starting June 1, 2025, it gives families Rs. 3,000 every month to buy food like flour, rice, sugar, or oil. It’s not just for food, though! The card also helps with:

• Money for emergencies, like borrowing some of your salary early.

• Insurance, which helps if something bad happens.

• Discounts, like 20% off at certain stores.

• Extra help, like doctor visits or housing.

Maryam Nawaz says this card is to make sure kids don’t go to bed hungry and to show respect to hardworking people.

Who Can Get It?

This programme is for families in Punjab who don’t earn a lot of money, especially workers. To get the card, you need to:

• Live in Punjab and have a CNIC (an copyright for adults).

• Earn less than Rs. 50,000 a month.

• Be a worker registered with a group like the Punjab Employees Social Security.

• Not work for the government or pay taxes.

• Have one person per family apply.

You also need to sign up with something called PSER (Punjab Socio-Economic Registry). You have until April 30, 2025, to do this.

How to Sign Up

Getting the card is easy! Here’s what to do:

1. Visit the Website: Go to the website: https://rationcard.com.pk/pser-survey/ to start application.

2. Make an Account: Use your copyright number and some details about yourself.

3. Log In: Use your account to start the form.

4. Add Family Info: Tell them about your family and how much money you make.

5. Send the Form: Check it and submit it. They’ll tell you if it’s approved.

If you can’t use the internet, go to a PSER center near you for help. Already signed up with PSER? You don’t need to do it again unless it’s been more than three years. To check if you can get the card, send your ID number to 8070 by text.

Why Is This Important?

Food like bread, oil, and sugar is getting very expensive. Many families can’t afford it. This programme gives them Rs. 3,000 every month to buy what they need. The Zindagi Card is cool because families can pick what to buy, and it’s all done fairly so the right people get help.

Maryam Nawaz wants to make life better for workers. She said, “We’re bringing help to you!” This builds on her Ramadan 2025 plan, where she gave families Rs. 10,000 and food at their homes.

More Help for Families

The Ration Card is just one part of Maryam Nawaz’s ideas. She’s also working on:

• Houses: Building 1,220 new homes for workers and planning 100,000 more.

• Hospitals: New places for workers to get medical care in cities like Sargodha and Kasur.

• Schools: Giving 100,000 laptops and 50,000 scholarships to students.

• Buses: Adding 500 new green buses to help people get around.

• Worker Care: Setting up online doctor visits and new worker neighborhoods.

These plans show she wants workers to have food, homes, health, and a chance to learn.