4,957 applications submitted for mass marriage scheme

LAHORE:

The registration process for the mass marriage of underprivileged girls under the "Dhee Rani programme" has been successfully completed.

By the deadline, a total of 4,957 applications were submitted.

The Government of Punjab has allocated 500 million rupees for the first phase, which will facilitate the marriages of 1,500 couples.

The Punjab Department of Social Welfare will oversee 3,000 mass marriages in total, with an overall budget of one billion rupees.

Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Baitul Mal, Sohail Shaukat Butt, confirmed that the last date for applications was Friday, November 15, by which 4,957 applications were received through the PITB portal.

Muzaffargarh recorded the highest number of applications at 307, followed by Lahore with 269, while Gujrat submitted the fewest with just 15.

Around 70% of applicants are women aged between 18 and 25. The remaining registered couples will participate in the second phase, which is expected to begin soon.

Minister Butt emphasised that the mass marriage initiative, launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is designed to foster positive social change and improve the welfare of marginalized communities.

The programme is open to girls aged 18 to 40 from low-income families across Punjab, with priority given to orphaned and destitute girls, as well as daughters of disabled individuals.