Lahore: The Punjab government on Wednesday launched the third phase of the Dhee Rani Programme with a mass wedding ceremony for 130 women, including 18 from minority communities.
Punjab Social Welfare Minister Sohail Shaukat Butt said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz initiated the scheme to help families unable to afford marriage expenses for their daughters. He announced that 5,000 mass weddings would be arranged this year under the programme.
Butt said the initiative symbolizes dignity, hope, and empowerment for women across Punjab, adding that 10,000 to 15,000 applications had been received. “Every daughter, Muslim or from a minority community, will receive equal respect,” he said.
Punjab Sports Minister Faisal Ayub Khokhar lauded the project, calling it the rightful use of public funds for citizens’ welfare and praising the government’s focus on women’s empowerment.