Rs 3,000 a month in groceries for registered workers
CM Punjab Ration Card for Workers
In short
- Who gets it
- Workers registered with Punjab social security, miners and Suthra Punjab workers
- How to get it
- Through your employer's social security registration. There is no online form.
On this page
The CM Punjab Ration Card (Rashan Card) gives Rs 3,000 a month for groceries to registered workers. It is used at about 62,000 shops across Punjab. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched it on 30 April 2025.
It is not a general scheme for low-income families. Many websites describe it as one and invite you to "apply with your CNIC". In fact, the card goes to workers who are already registered with the government's social security system, and to certain other groups of workers.
Who gets the Ration Card
- Industrial and other workers registered with Punjab social security (PESSI), through their employer
- Mine workers, added in July 2025
- Suthra Punjab sanitation workers: more than 100,000 are included
What you get
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Rs 3,000 a month for essential groceries |
| Where to use it | About 62,000 partner shops across Punjab |
| Ramzan 2026 | Cardholders received Rs 10,000 in place of Rs 3,000 |
| Cards issued | 1,244,130 of 1,403,063 registered workers (July 2026) |
| Status | Approved for 2026-27, with an extra Rs 43.2 billion |
How to get the card
You do not apply on a website. Here is how to get the card:
- If you are a factory or industrial worker, ask your employer to register you with Punjab Employees Social Security (PESSI). Registered workers are added to the programme.
- If you are a mine worker or a Suthra Punjab worker, ask your employer or contractor about your registration.
- Registered workers who had not yet received a card during Ramzan 2026 were sent a Bank of Punjab PIN by SMS, and collected cash with their CNIC and a thumbprint at agents.
In July 2026 the Chief Minister ordered that the number of registered workers be expanded further. Registration with social security is therefore the way in.
Ration Card vs Nigehban Card
| Ration Card | Nigehban Card | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Registered workers, miners, Suthra Punjab workers | Low-income families in the Punjab Socio-Economic Registry |
| Amount | Rs 3,000 a month | Rs 10,000 once, in Ramzan |
| How selected | Social security registration | PSER data |
If you are not a registered worker and need help, see Maryam Ko Batain (1000) and how to get government help.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Ration Card online with my CNIC?
No. There is no public online application. The card is for workers registered with social security. Sites offering "ration card apply online" are not official.
Is the Ration Card Rs 3,000 or Rs 10,000?
Rs 3,000 a month. During Ramzan 2026, cardholders got Rs 10,000 instead.
Sources
- APP, 27 July 2026: CM approves expansion of Ration Card programme. Cards issued, 62,000 shops, 2026-27 approval, Suthra Punjab workers.
- The Nation, 30 April 2025: Punjab CM Maryam launches ration card scheme. For registered social security workers and miners, Rs 3,000 a month.
- Business Recorder, 12 July 2025: Mine workers added to the ration card programme
- Radio Pakistan, 26 January 2026: Ramazan Nigehban package. Ration card holders get Rs 10,000 in Ramzan.
Key sections
- Who gets the Ration Card
- What you get
- How to get the card
- Ration Card vs Nigehban Card
Applying is free. Only use websites that end in .gov.pk, and never pay an agent to add your name to a list. Stay safe
Last checked . Always confirm on the official website before you apply.
Official source: www.app.com.pk/punjab/cm-approves-expansion-of-ration-card-programme