The government has announced massive discounts on essential groceries, particularly ghee, cooking oil, and flour, to reduce the burden on people in Pakistan during Ramzan 2026.
Discounts on Ghee and Cooking Oil
Consumers will receive a discount of Rs10 to Rs16 on every 1 kg or 1 litre pack of ghee and cooking oil throughout the holy month.
This was announced by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Salma Butt following a meeting with representatives of the Pakistan Ghee Mills Association (PGMA), attended by Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Director General Asim Javaid.
Salma Butt said that high-quality ghee and cooking oil will be available at these subsidised rates across Punjab markets.
She added that if palm oil prices decrease further, additional immediate relief will be provided to consumers in consultation with the industry.
Subsidised Flour Sales
Flour will be offered at reduced rates through special outlets:
- In 64 special markets and Ramadan Sahulat Bazaars across Punjab, a 10 kg bag of flour will be available for Rs850.
- The Pakistan Flour Mills Association will establish 1,550 dedicated flour sale points throughout the province, where a 10 kg bag will be sold for Rs905 and a 20 kg bag for Rs1,810.
Regular flour supplies will continue at prevailing market rates outside these special points.
Association leaders, including Asim Raza Ahmed and Riazullah Khan, reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to supporting the Punjab government in delivering relief to the public during Ramzan, ensuring quality and availability of essentials at affordable prices.
Ramzan to begin on Feb 19 in Pakistan
Pakistan is expected to begin the holy month of Ramzan on February 19, 2026, subject to the official announcement by the country’s moon sighting authorities.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and several Gulf states have confirmed that fasting will start there on February 18, 2026, after the moon is sighted.
Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet on February 18
The central meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will take place in Peshawar on February 18, under the chairmanship of Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabeer Azad.
Zonal committees will also meet the same evening in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta to collect testimonies from across the country.
The committee is authorised to announce the start of the Islamic month based on verified moon sightings. If the crescent is sighted on February 18, the first fast will be observed on February 19.
