Maryam Nawaz Rashan Card 2026: Rs3,000 Monthly Grocery for 1.4 Million Workers

For a factory worker or a shop employee in Punjab, Rs3,000 a month for groceries may not sound large, but over a year it means Rs36,000 of help with the kitchen budget. That is exactly what the Maryam Nawaz Rashan Card delivers: a monthly grocery subsidy for workers registered with Punjab’s social security system.

The programme was launched in April 2025 and expanded sharply in July 2026, when the government approved Rs43.2 billion more for the financial year 2026-27. Here is who gets the card, how it works, and how workers can make sure they are not left out.

What the Card Gives

• Monthly amount: Rs3,000 per month for essential grocery items.
• Where to spend: More than 62,000 registered ration shops across Punjab, including utility stores and registered karyana shops.
• How it is paid: The subsidy is delivered digitally through the card and the worker’s account, not in cash.
• Ramzan bonus: In March 2026, registered workers also received a one-time Rs10,000 payment under the Ramzan package. This was a one-time payment, not a new monthly amount.
• Who runs it: The Punjab Employees Social Security Institution, known as PESSI.

Programme at a Glance

Who Is Eligible

• Registered workers: Workers registered with PESSI through their employer. A simple test: if you hold a PESSI social security card, known as the R-5 card, you are a registered worker.
• Factory and shop workers: Employees of factories, shops and businesses whose employers have registered them with PESSI.
• Mine workers: Around 40,000 mine workers were brought into the programme in July 2025.
• Sanitation workers: Around 150,000 Suthra Punjab sanitation workers were included in October 2025, and officials say more than 100,000 Suthra workers are benefiting.
• Not eligible: Workers with no registered employer, including the unemployed, housewives and the self-employed, are not covered by this card. They should look at other welfare programmes instead.

How the Card Reaches Workers

There is no open online form for this card, and that is the most common source of confusion. A worker does not apply directly. Instead, the card comes through PESSI registration by the employer:

• Step 1: The employer registers the worker with PESSI and keeps the worker’s CNIC and mobile number correct in its records.
• Step 2: PESSI issues the worker’s social security record and the ration card.
• Step 3: The worker uses the card at a registered shop to buy essential items worth Rs3,000 each month.
• If not registered: A worker whose employer has never registered them should ask the employer to complete PESSI registration.
• Domestic workers: A separate domestic worker form exists for household workers without a factory or shop employer.

Growth of the Programme

The programme started in April 2025 targeting 1.25 million working families. By April 2026, PESSI reported bank accounts opened for more than 1.2 million workers and Rs22 billion transferred. In July 2026, the chief minister approved the Rs43.2 billion expansion for 2026-27, by which time 1,403,063 workers were registered and 1,244,130 had received their cards, with 4,984 more cards in printing. The chief minister has directed officials to keep increasing the number of registered workers so the relief reaches more deserving families.

Do Not Confuse It With the Zakat Rashan Card

Two different cards share a similar name, and mixing them up causes real problems. The Maryam Nawaz Rashan Card described here is the PESSI worker card worth Rs3,000 a month. The separate Zakat Rashan Card, run through the Zakat system for deserving poor people, currently lists a different monthly rate. Workers should confirm which card they hold before expecting any payment.

Contact and Helpline Details

Conclusion

The Maryam Nawaz Rashan Card is now one of Punjab’s largest worker-welfare programmes, with more than 1.4 million workers registered and Rs43.2 billion approved for 2026-27. Its Rs3,000 monthly grocery help reaches workers through 62,000 registered shops, but only if the worker is registered with PESSI through an employer. If you work for a registered employer and have not received your card, check your employer’s records first, then call 1105 for guidance.

FAQs

Can I apply for the Rashan Card online?

No. There is no open online form. You get the card by being registered with PESSI through your employer, or through the domestic worker form.

How much does the Rashan Card give each month?

Rs3,000 per month for essential grocery items at registered shops. The Rs10,000 Ramzan payment in March 2026 was a one-time payment, not a monthly increase.

What is the Rashan Card helpline number?

The ration card helpline is 1105, and PESSI’s general toll-free helpline is 0800-73774.