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RAWALPINDI, Oct 24 (APP):In a stunning event of collective marriages, 84 couples got married today under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s flagship Dhee Rani Programme.
The ceremony, which was held at a local hotel facilitated 44 couples from Jhelum district and 40 from Rawalpindi and Murree, including one each from minority communities and individuals with special needs.
Sohail Shaukat Butt, Provincial minister for Social Welfare and Bait ul Mal while addressing the gathering, described the event as an honor for the government of Punjab and extended the CM’s facilitation to the newlyweds. He extended special congratulations to the parents, emphasizing their pivotal role in the celebrations.
Sohail Butt commended the Dhee Rani Programme as a historic foundation laid by CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif for public welfare, noting that thousands of couples have already benefited.
He compared the programme with previous governments saying, “In the past, we don’t see any such initiatives ever taken by any government,” and added that the programme truly represents underprivileged parents facing immense financial challenges in marrying off their daughters and/or sons.
He also announced that the government planned to achieve the target of 5000 collective weddings till December this year.
He termed the welfare step by the government as ‘the right path of the people upon whom Allah has blessed His favour’.
He went on saying that the prime responsibility of any government was to serve the people and to take measures for their welfare.
The minister criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government for ‘regularly disturbing and creating chaos in Punjab’, and asserted that executive responsibility doesn’t rest with sowing unrest.
He also praised Punjab’s rapid progress while highlighting various initiatives.
“We in Punjab in just less than two years have initiated a number of projects for the welfare of people, which is the actual righteous path”, he said.
While wishing the newlyweds, the minister said that thousands of parents are praying for the CM’s initiatives. He wishes them peaceful and prosperous lives and congratulated the local government and Social Security Department.
Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan extended warm greetings to the couples, lauding the programme as the vision of party leader Nawaz Sharif and the tireless efforts of CM Maryam Nawaz. He highlighted how resource constraints often delay marriages for daughters and sisters reaching maturity, adding that the initiative directly addresses this gap.
Bilal reiterated that serving the underprivileged remains the CM’s top priority, thanking her for the programme. He also expressed special appreciation for Sohail Shaukat Butt’s contributions to the event’s success, and the ministry’s and allied departments’ outstanding jobs they have done for gathering the info, selecting the families and organizing the ceremony in a smooth and transparent way.
In her address, Member National Assembly (MNA) Tahira Aurangzeb commended CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif for shouldering the full financial burden, including dowry, ceremony arrangements, and budgets, calling it a ‘great job’. She announced the imminent launch of e-buses in Rawalpindi to ease commuting, with the CM scheduled to visit the city next month.
Advising the couples to prioritize mutual understanding for lasting peace, she urged families not to let financial hurdles stop engagements, instead valuing the character of daughters above all.
Aurangzeb specially appreciated the Social Welfare Department’s team, particularly Deputy Director Rawalpindi, Rukhsana Awan, for their relentless efforts culminating in today’s joyous occasion.
The event drew participation of a number of dignitaries, including parliamentarians Tahira Aurangzeb MNA, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information Danyal Chaudhry, Asia Naz, Zeb-un-Nisa, Mansoor Afsar, Malik Iftekhar Awan, Tahira Mushtaq, Shazia Rizwan, Asma Naz Abbasi, Tehsin Fawad, former MNA Javed Akhlas; Provincial Secretary Welfare Javed Akhtar; D s, ACs and other high ranking district government officials.
A vibrant cultural show by traditional Punjabi artistes captivated attendees. Later, parliamentarians distributed ATM cards loaded with the government’s gift amounts to the couples. Each couple was gifted with Rs. 200,000.0 as gift money, besides gifting wedding clothes, arrangement support and ceremonial lunch.
A pastor representing the minorities appreciated the CM for the inclusive programme and extended congratulations to the newlyweds, underscoring its role in fostering community harmony.