Punjab’s Dhee Rani Program: A Landmark Social Welfare Initiative, Says Minister

By Our Staff Reporter Farzana Chaudhry

RAWALPINDI: The third phase of the Punjab Dhee Rani Program was celebrated with a grand ceremony in Rawalpindi, attended by Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Sohail Shaukat Butt as the chief guest and Minister for Transport Bilal Akbar Khan as a special participant. The initiative, launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, continues to provide vital financial support to deserving couples across Punjab.

The event brought together 84 underprivileged couples from Rawalpindi, Murree, and Jhelum, including a Christian couple and a special needs couple. Each newlywed couple received Rs. 200,000 in financial assistance and wedding gifts from the Punjab government.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Sohail Shaukat Butt hailed the Dhee Rani Program as a “wonderful and history-making welfare initiative,” emphasizing that it reflects Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s vision of an inclusive and compassionate Punjab. He announced that over 5,000 weddings will be organized under the program this year, a significant increase from the 3,000 marriages facilitated last year.

“The Dhee Rani Program not only supports families financially but also strengthens social equality and human dignity,” Butt said, adding that cash assistance was disbursed via ATM cards to ensure transparency.

Minister Bilal Akbar Khan lauded Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her deep empathy for the people, noting that “the sacred responsibility of marriage has been made easier for low-income families through this initiative.”

Prominent attendees included MNA Tahira Aurangzeb, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture Shazia Rizwan, MNA Daniyal Chaudhry, and several members of the Punjab Assembly, alongside senior government officials.

In her remarks, MNA Tahira Aurangzeb praised the Chief Minister’s leadership, saying, “Allah Almighty has chosen Maryam Nawaz Sharif for a great purpose — to serve the people with compassion. The prayers of countless daughters are with her today.”

The event concluded with a grand dinner hosted on behalf of the Chief Minister, symbolizing unity and joy among the newlyweds and their families.