The Emirates News Agency reported that Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, ordered the settlement of debts totalling AED 22.71 million in 66 cases on Tuesday. The directive seeks to provide a decent standard of living for affected citizens while addressing their outstanding financial obligations. It reflects the ruler’s continued focus on monitoring residents’ needs and promoting family stability across the emirate.
A Khaleej Times account placed the precise sum at AED 22,710,000 for the latest batch of cases. The Sharjah Debt Settlement Committee, which the ruler established in 2014, has processed more than AED 1.35 billion in total relief that has benefited 2,791 citizens to date, according to the committee chairman. Each case receives thorough verification to confirm genuine hardship before any settlement proceeds.
In September 2026 the ruler had similarly ordered more than AED 17.8 million in debt relief for 82 separate cases, a subsequent Khaleej Times report noted. That action followed an earlier approval of AED 73.79 million to clear 143 cases in November 2025. Successive directives illustrate the systematic manner in which authorities tackle citizen debt accumulation.
The Sharjah Social Services Department also saw monthly assistance raised to AED 17,500 for 4,237 registered cases at the beginning of 2026, with the annual cost reaching AED 404.9 million, local media indicated. Such increases complement debt settlements by offering sustained support rather than one-time interventions. Officials integrate both forms of aid to strengthen overall social welfare programmes.
A parallel federal initiative recently relieved 1,435 citizens of debts exceeding AED 475 million through collaboration with 19 banks and finance entities, Sharjah24 reported. That national programme prioritises humanitarian, medical and low-income cases while applying strict criteria to ensure loans originally served essential needs. Sharjah’s local committee operates within this broader UAE framework of citizen support.
Implementation of Tuesday’s order will proceed through established committee channels that coordinate with relevant financial institutions. All selected cases underwent social and legal assessments to establish eligibility under the ruler’s guidelines. The measure is expected to remove immediate financial pressures that might otherwise affect household stability and daily living conditions.
