110 Couples Marry Under Punjab’s Dhee Rani Programme in Gujranwala, Receive Rs200,000 Each

LAHORE (Nazrana Times): A total of 110 deserving couples married under the third phase of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Dhee Rani Programme at a mass wedding ceremony in Gujranwala. Held at Executive Marquee in Rahwali, the ceremony brought together 93 Muslim and 17 Christian couples. Each couple received a cash wedding gift of Rs200,000 on behalf of the chief minister.

Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Sohail Shaukat Butt attended as the special guest, congratulated the newlyweds and presented the grants. The programme was launched to facilitate the marriages of daughters from underprivileged and deserving families.

Reducing Wedding Expenses for Families

Butt described the Dhee Rani Programme as an important welfare initiative intended to ease the financial burden of wedding expenses and help parents send off their daughters with dignity and respect.

He said the initiative demonstrated the concept of the state acting like a mother, adding that the government was taking practical steps to support vulnerable and deserving sections of society.

Punjab Targets 5,000 Marriages This Year

The minister said 5,000 deserving couples would be married across Punjab under the programme during the current year. A target of 450 marriages had been set for Gujranwala Division.

Highlighting the government’s wider social protection initiatives, he said persons with disabilities were being provided with Himmat Cards, artificial limbs and assistive devices to help them live independently and with dignity. He described the provision of these facilities as a first in history.

Commitment to Reaching More Families

Commissioner Gujranwala and Gujrat Divisions Muhammad Ali said the programme was bringing happiness to deserving families. He said collective wedding ceremonies offered parents relief from financial difficulties while allowing their daughters to begin married life with dignity, respect and prayers.

He said implementation would be ensured in accordance with the target set for Gujranwala Division so that as many deserving families as possible could benefit.

Officials and Elected Representatives Attend

Those attending included Secretary Social Welfare Saira Umar, Director General Social Welfare Dr Shahenshah Faisal Azeem, Commissioner Muhammad Ali, Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala Naveed Ahmed and Member of the National Assembly Shazia Farid.

Members of the Provincial Assembly Umar Farooq Dar, Waqar Ahmed Cheema and Ms Saima Zahid also attended, alongside Divisional Coordinator Gujranwala Rana Ali Yasir, other distinguished guests and senior officials from the relevant departments.

Rana Ali Yasir also extended support for the programme and its arrangements.

Prayers Offered for Newlywed Couples

Khateeb Auqaf Gujranwala Hafiz Shahid Farooq recited verses from the Holy Quran and offered special prayers for the couples’ happy and prosperous married lives, as well as the country’s progress, peace and security.

Pastor Professor Shahzad Lawrence offered prayers for the Christian couples and all newlywed families.

The participation of deserving families from different religious communities reflected interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and social cohesion. Through financial assistance and collective wedding facilities, the programme aims to reduce families’ financial difficulties and help parents send off their daughters with dignity.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the newlywed couples and their families expressed happiness and gratitude and appreciated the Punjab government’s initiative.