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MULTAN, Oct 31 (APP): A total of 255 couples were married in two grand ceremonies held under the third phase of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s “Dhee Rani Programme”.
The events, organised by the Punjab Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department, saw 127 Muslim and 10 Christian couples tied the knot in Khanewal, while 118 couples were married in Dera Ghazi Khan.
The ceremony in Khanewal, attended by Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal, Sohail Shaukat Butt, also saw each newlywed couple receive Rs. 200,000 via ATM cards, along with dowry packages for the brides.
Congratulating the newlyweds, Minister Butt highlighted the programme’s significant impact on underprivileged families, noting that it has alleviated the financial burden of marriage expenses. “This initiative reflects Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s unwavering commitment to public welfare,” he said, adding that the programme embodies the principles of a welfare state inspired by the Riyasat-e-Madina model.
The mass wedding initiative has successfully facilitated the marriages of 5,000 couples across Punjab. The Khanewal ceremony also saw the participation of political figures such as MNA Muhammad Khan Daha, Parliamentary Secretary Rana Muhammad Saleem Hanif, and MPAs Barrister Osama Fazal and Aamir Hayat Haraaj, alongside local dignitaries and social workers.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Salma Suleman described the initiative as “a blessing for parents,” emphasizing its focus on promoting social justice and enhancing prosperity.
In Dera Ghazi Khan, the second ceremony, held at a local marriage hall, brought together 118 couples from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Provincial Minister Sohail Shaukat Butt, Secretary of Social Welfare Javed Akhtar Mehmood, and Dera Ghazi Khan Commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed Chaudhry, among others.
Minister Butt reiterated that the Punjab government is covering all marriage-related expenses, further stressing the revolutionary impact of the ‘Dhee Rani Programme’ in supporting families and strengthening community welfare.