The Maryam Nawaz Ration Card gives eligible Punjab families Rs 3,000 a month on a card that can be spent at registered shops. It is one of the most searched Punjab welfare schemes, but official sources describe its eligibility in two different ways. This guide separates what is confirmed from what is not, so you do not waste time or money.
Maryam Nawaz Ration Card at a Glance
| Monthly support | Rs 3,000 per month (Rs 36,000 per year) |
| Target | 1.25 million workers (PESSI); over 1.4 million people receive monthly help (Punjab government update, April 2026) |
| Money already moved | Accounts for 1.2 million+ workers; Rs 25 billion transferred by May 2026 (PESSI commissioner) |
| Card | Mastercard-linked card |
| Where to spend | About 28,000 designated shops across Punjab, including utility stores and registered karyana shops |
| Helplines | Ration card: 1105; PESSI toll-free: 0800-73774 |
| Ramadan 2026 | Support for card holders was raised to Rs 10,000 under the Nigehban Ramadan Package |
How the Card Works
The Rs 3,000 is credited to a card linked to the beneficiary’s account and is spent on groceries. It is not a free ration bag. Items named by the government include flour, rice, sugar and ghee. Before you shop, ask the shopkeeper whether the shop accepts the card.
Who Is Eligible? Two Different Descriptions
This is the point most websites get wrong. The official sources describe two groups:
1. PESSI-registered workers
The Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) says each registered “secured worker” receives Rs 3,000 a month. To qualify you must be a worker whose employer has registered you with PESSI and pays the contribution. PESSI then links your record to the card.
2. Low-income households (Punjab government description)
The Punjab government’s own page describes the card as aimed at low-income households and lists these conditions:
- A poverty (PMT) score under 35.
- Monthly income under Rs 50,000.
- No government job.
- No BISP payment (a BISP family is listed as ineligible).
- Registration in the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry (PSER).
Because the two descriptions differ, the safest approach is to call the helpline for your own case instead of trusting a third-party “eligibility checker”.
How to Register
There is no open online application form published for the card. What is known:
- Workers: ask your employer to register you with PESSI and confirm that your contribution is being paid.
- Domestic workers (cooks, drivers, cleaners in private homes) can fill PESSI’s domestic worker form with the employer’s CNIC and submit it at a PESSI office.
- Keep your CNIC valid, because PESSI verifies card holders by biometrics.
- New workers are added over time, not on the same day, as PESSI offices update data.
Registration with PESSI also brings other benefits such as free treatment and sickness pay.
How to Check Your Status or Complain
PESSI does not publish an online status check or an official SMS code for this card. Use these channels instead:
- Ration card helpline: 1105
- PESSI toll-free helpline: 0800-73774
- PESSI head office: 3-A, Gulberg-V, Jail Road, Lahore, phone 042-99263107
- Your nearest PESSI directorate (take your CNIC)
Avoid websites that offer a “check by CNIC” service. Only enter your CNIC on government domains ending in .gov.pk.
Expansion: “Maryam Ko Batain”
In April 2026, a review meeting decided to add 50,000 more people under the “Maryam Ko Batain” initiative, on top of the more than 1.4 million people who already receive monthly assistance.
Ramadan Top-Up
During Ramadan 2026, assistance for ration card holders was raised to Rs 10,000. See our guide to the Nigehban Ramadan Package for details.
Beware of Fake Agents and Scam Sites
Government welfare schemes attract scammers. No genuine programme asks you to pay a “registration fee” to an agent, share your card PIN, or send your CNIC and OTP codes to a WhatsApp number. Enter your CNIC only on websites ending in .gov.pk or use the official SMS and helpline numbers mentioned in this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Maryam Nawaz Ration Card pay?
Rs 3,000 per month, or Rs 36,000 per year.
Who gets the card?
PESSI says registered secured workers. The Punjab government page describes low-income households with a PMT score under 35, income under Rs 50,000, no government job and PSER registration. Check with the helpline for your case.
Is there an online application?
No open application form has been published. Workers are enrolled through PESSI via their employer.
Can BISP beneficiaries get it?
The Punjab government page lists BISP families as ineligible. PESSI’s page does not mention BISP.
Where can I use the card?
At designated shops, about 28,000 across Punjab, including utility stores and registered karyana shops.
What is the helpline number?
1105 for the ration card and 0800-73774 for PESSI.
How do I check if my payment came?
PESSI publishes no official online or SMS check. Call 1105 or 0800-73774 or visit a PESSI directorate.
Sources
- Pakera: Punjab ration card apply guide (read 28 Sep 2026)
- UrduPoint / APP, 27 Apr 2026: Over 1.6m benefit from welfare schemes in Punjab
- The Nation, 26 Jan 2026: Ramadan relief package
Last checked: 11 October 2026. Gov-programs.info is an independent information site and is not affiliated with any government body. Figures are as reported by the cited outlets; always confirm on the official portal before applying or sharing documents.
