In Punjab, collective marriages and financial assistance for disadvantaged brides
The province has expanded the "Dhi Rani" initiative, spearheaded by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, with shared ceremonies and contributions of up to 200,000 rupees. Support is also offered to Christian and Hindu couples. Families say they have received “dignity and hope”. But they are also calling for more investment in education and women's empowerment.
Lahore (AsiaNews) – The Punjab government has expanded a social welfare initiative, the "Dhi Rani" (Queen Daughter, or Beloved Daughter) programme, aimed at supporting disadvantaged families in arranging their daughters’ weddings.
Launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the programme seeks to reduce the financial burden associated with weddings for low-income families across the province.
Under the project, disadvantaged brides from various faiths and backgrounds are selected through a vetting process. The selected couples then participate in collective wedding ceremonies organised by the government.
In addition to the ceremony, each couple receives financial assistance. Initially set at 100,000 rupees (around US$ 360) and subsequently increased, it includes basic necessities and household goods such as furniture, clothes, and other essential items to help couples begin married life.
In Sargodha District, five Christian couples participated in mass weddings. In Layyah District, 370 couples were married, including eight Christian couples, and in Nankana Sahab District, 108 couples celebrated mass weddings, including four Christian couples and six from the Sikh community. Each couple received a gift of 200,000 rupees (US$ 720) from the government.
The programme prioritises families experiencing financial hardship, including orphans and people with disabilities. The initiative also includes couples from minority communities, reflecting the effort to promote inclusivity and equal access to social welfare programmes.
In the latest ceremony in Muzaffargarh District, southern Punjab, a total of 260 marriages were performed, including three couples from religious minorities.
Significant budget allocations are earmarked to expand the programme's reach. Government officials described it as a step forward towards social protection and women's dignity, stressing that no daughter should be deprived of marriage because of poverty.
Hindu and Christian families that benefit from the programme have expressed appreciation for the financial support and the organised ceremonies, noting that the “Dhi Rani” reduced economic stress at a time of rising inflation.
“For months, I was worried about how I would arrange my daughter’s marriage,” said a Hindu father. “As a daily wage earner, it felt like an impossible responsibility. There were many sleepless nights and silent prayers. Today,” he added, “seeing her smile at this ceremony has lifted a huge burden from my heart.”
In his view, the “Dhi Rani” programme gave them financial support, as well as “dignity and hope”. And “As members of a minority community, it means a lot to us that our daughter is included and respected,” he explained.
Similarly, another Christian family also appreciates the province’s efforts. “A daughter’s wedding is every mother’s dream, but for families like ours, it can also be a source of deep worry,” said the bridge’s mother.
“With limited income and rising costs, we feared we would not be able to give our daughter the celebration she deserved,” the mother added. But in the end, fear turned into joy. “When I saw her dressed as a bride, surrounded by support and respect, I could not hold back my tears,".
Some observers stress, however, the importance of complementing these welfare measures with long-term investments in women's education, skills development, and economic empowerment.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has indicated that more phases of the "Dhi Rani" programme are planned, with increased outreach to ensure that a greater number of eligible families can benefit from the initiative.
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