Lahore: The Punjab government has decided to expand the scope of the Dhee Rani Programme, increasing the number of social weddings from 3,000 to 5,000 annually in the upcoming financial year. Each couple will now receive a grant of Rs200,000.
According to the details, the decision was made during a steering committee meeting chaired by Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Suhail Shaukat Butt.
It was decided that all weddings under the programme will be held between November 2025 and February 15, 2026. To complete the programme before Ramazan, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has allocated Rs1.7 billion for the initiative.
In a major development, it was also announced that the traditional wedding gifts will be replaced by a “Dhee Rani Card”, through which each eligible couple will be given Rs200,000 in cash to support the start of their married life.
For the first time, on the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the programme will also include deserving Hindu couples, making it more inclusive.
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Minister Suhail Shaukat Butt appreciated the successful completion of 3,000 weddings in the first phase, thanking officers, especially Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and Regional Police Officers (RPOs), for their efforts.
He said the Dhee Rani Programme has become the voice of Punjab’s daughters and is backed by the CM’s sincere efforts. The programme has gained both success and public trust.
Verification of all eligible couples will be completed by October 2025 to ensure transparent distribution of financial assistance. The chief minister has allocated Rs1.7bn for the programme.
Punjab Dhee Rani Programme:
| Subheading | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme Name | Dhee Rani Programme |
| Expansion of Weddings | Increased from 3,000 to 5,000 couples annually |
| Financial Support per Couple | Rs2 lakh (Rs200,000) through Dhee Rani Card |
| Substitute for Gifts | Cash payment replaces traditional wedding hampers |
| Event Timeline | Mass weddings to be held from Nov 2025 to Feb 15, 2026 |
| Target Completion | All weddings to be completed before Ramazan 2026 |
| Total Budget Allocated | Rs1.7 billion allocated by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz |
In other news, the Punjab government has also announced a Rs718.3 million subsidy for schools under Phase 2 of the Punjab Schools Reform Programme. This phase includes 4,789 schools handed over on contract.
Each school will receive Rs150,000, which can be used during summer vacations for renovation, utility bills, furniture, and plantation.
All expenses will be recorded and submitted to the School Education Department, while school owners will be responsible for paying teachers a monthly salary of Rs15,000.
