The Sindh government has rolled out the Benazir Hari Card, a flagship scheme aimed at supporting small and medium-scale farmers, marking the fulfillment of a key promise made by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) during its election campaign.
Sindh Agriculture Minister announced on Thursday that Sindh Bank will issue 50,000 cards by the end of this month, with another 50,000 to follow every 20 days. So far, 80,000 farmers have completed the registration and verification process. The card will provide direct subsidies and financial assistance, offering much-needed relief to rural communities struggling with rising agricultural costs.
In addition to the Hari Card, the provincial government is launching a subsidy programme to promote solar-powered drip irrigation. Farmers owning between five and 25 acres will qualify for subsidized solar units, with 295 systems set to be installed across 4,000 acres. Under the cost-sharing model, farmers will contribute 20 percent of the cost, while the government covers 80 percent.
The scheme builds on PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s earlier commitment to introduce a “Kisan Card” on the model of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Speaking during his election campaign, Bilawal pledged that his party would provide structured relief for farmers and double the basic salary if elected to power.
Observers say the Hari Card initiative underscores PPP’s strategy of combining social protection with long-term agricultural reform. By blending direct cash support with investments in renewable irrigation, the government hopes to modernize farming practices while winning the trust of Sindh’s rural base.