‘Dhee Rani Programme’ a Practical Manifestation of CM’s Vision: Minister

By Muhammad Shahzad
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE — Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Punjab Sohail Shaukat Butt has said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Dhee Rani Programme reflects the vision that “the State should care like a mother.”
He expressed these remarks while addressing a mass wedding ceremony for 182 couples organized under the initiative in Rajanpur.
The ceremony was attended by Member of Provincial Assembly Sardar Abdul Aziz Khan Dreshak, Deputy Commissioner Imran Hussain Ranjha, Director Social Welfare Azhar Yousaf, Deputy Director Social Welfare Tehmina Dilshad, representatives of civil society and media, and relatives of the participating couples. One differently-abled individual was also among the newlywed couples.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said the Punjab government has made public service its core mission and launched multiple welfare initiatives for citizens’ well-being. He termed the Dhee Rani Programme a “revolutionary step” aimed at ensuring dignified marriages and settlement of daughters from underprivileged families.
Under the programme, he said, each bride is provided with a card worth Rs200,000 to help them begin their married life with financial support and dignity.
Highlighting other measures, Butt noted that the Social Welfare Department has introduced Himmat Cards for the rehabilitation and assistance of persons with disabilities. The department is also distributing wheelchairs, electric scooters and artificial limbs to promote mobility and independence.
On the occasion, MPA Sardar Abdul Aziz Khan Dreshak thanked the chief minister for approving various development projects in Rajanpur. Deputy Commissioner Imran Hussain Ranjha said that two earlier phases of the programme had facilitated 51 and 71 couples respectively in the district.
He added that green buses have also started operating in Rajanpur, calling it a symbol of balanced and inclusive development across Punjab.
A meal was arranged for the couples and their families at the conclusion of the ceremony.