Mass wedding marks launch of Dhee Rani-II

RAWALPINDI:

The second phase of the Punjab government's "Dhee Rani" mass wedding initiative kicked off in the Rawalpindi Division with a vibrant ceremony that celebrated the union of 97 couples.

Each bride was presented with a dowry package and a gift of Rs100,000.

The event also included the wedding of a visually impaired bride.

Attendees were treated to a lavish meal, and traditional Punjabi music and dance added a cultural flair to the celebration.

The ceremony was attended by two provincial ministers, members of the assembly, and local administrative officials who acted as hosts.

Participants who tied the knot expressed gratitude to the government, noting that financial constraints had delayed their weddings—until now.

Speaking at the event, Punjab's Minister for Social Welfare, Sohail Shaukat Butt, hailed the "Dhee Rani" programme as a historic initiative, stating, "No program of this scale has ever been launched in the country's history."

He added that the initiative addresses deep-rooted class disparities and is benefiting Muslims, Christians, and persons with disabilities alike.

"Though the state had resources before, no such initiative was ever taken. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has opened the doors of the state to fulfill the dreams of daughters and their parents," said Butt, calling the program a cornerstone for building a compassionate society.

Punjab's Minister for Transport, Bilal Akbar, echoed the sentiment, saying, "This isn't just about weddings. It's about fulfilling the dreams of mothers, daughters, and sisters."

He emphasised that the government's commitment to public welfare surpasses that of any previous administration.

Akbar highlighted several of the provincial government's achievements within just one year, including the construction of 8,000 kilometres of roads, upgrades to 1,500 basic health units, and improvements in THQ hospitals. He noted that free medicines, discontinued in recent years, have been reinstated.

He also pointed to educational initiatives, saying that 30,000 students had received scholarships and 100,000 laptops were distributed to bright students, signalling what he described as an IT revolution.

"When Shehbaz Sharif distributed laptops, critics mocked the move. But now, those very laptops are helping young people educate themselves and earn a living," he added.

Addressing the recent concerns over wheat distribution, Akbar mentioned a Rs15 billion farmer support package announced just four days prior and the distribution of 9,000 green tractors on merit.

Other programmes highlighted during the event included the introduction of minority cards, "Himmat" cards, and disability support cards—initiatives designed to serve citizens directly in their communities.

Member of the National Assembly, Tahira Aurangzeb, also addressed the audience, commending the "Dhee Rani" initiative as a step toward making state resources more accessible to the people.