Punjab Dhee Rani Gives Rs200,000 for Brides’ Weddings
The Punjab government has resumed its Dhee Rani Programme, offering Rs200,000 in financial assistance to eligible brides from deserving families.
Under the scheme, the government provides the amount as a wedding gift, known as salami, through an ATM card. It also pays for the collective wedding ceremony itself. The programme resumed its wedding ceremonies on November 12, 2026, and the government plans to arrange marriages for another 5,000 deserving couples in the financial year 2026-27.
150 couples married in Lahore as ceremonies resume
The new round began with a mass wedding ceremony for 150 deserving couples in Lahore on November 12. Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari attended as chief guest, and each bride received the Rs200,000 gift through an ATM card. Twenty-one minority couples were among those married, a detail officials highlighted as a sign of interfaith harmony.
The ceremony was held under the programme launched on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Officials said 8,000 deserving couples have been married collectively under the programme over the past two years.
The programme is run by the Punjab Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department. Its target for the current financial year is 5,000 mass weddings across all districts of the province, and more ceremonies are scheduled ahead, including one in Lodhran on December 8.
Who is eligible for Rs200,000 wedding assistance
The Dhee Rani Programme provides financial assistance to deserving brides, including orphans, women with disabilities, daughters of persons with disabilities, and women from financially struggling families.
To qualify, the bride must be between 18 and 40 years old and hold a valid Punjab domicile. She must be unmarried, have a confirmed marriage match, and be willing to take part in a collective wedding ceremony.
The bride can submit the application herself. Her father, mother or legal guardian can also apply on her behalf. The government requires an affidavit confirming the bride’s unmarried status and her consent to take part in the programme.
If applications exceed the available places, the authorities may select eligible candidates through electronic balloting.
How to apply for the Dhee Rani Programme
Interested families can use the official Dhee Rani Programme portal at cmp.punjab.gov.pk when registration is open. The helpline for the programme is 1312.
Applicants must first create an account by providing their name, CNIC number, district and mobile number. After registration, they can log in to the portal and complete the application form, providing the required information and uploading supporting documents.
The authorities then review applications and verify each candidate’s eligibility. Selected applicants are informed about their wedding ceremony through SMS, and the Rs200,000 salami is loaded on a Bank of Punjab ATM card issued in the bride’s name.
Note that the assistance is part of the government-supported collective marriage scheme. It is not a general cash grant for privately arranged weddings, and the bride must take part in the collective ceremony to receive it.
Part of Punjab’s welfare schemes
The Dhee Rani Programme is one of several Punjab government schemes aimed at low-income families. The province has also expanded its e-bike scheme for students, with monthly payment plans, and Maryam Nawaz has set a seven-day deadline for the Suthra Punjab sanitation drive. Punjab has also rolled out 33 mobile police stations with FIR registration as part of its service delivery push.
For families who cannot afford a wedding, the scheme removes the largest single cost. A wedding in Punjab can cost several hundred thousand rupees, and the Rs200,000 salami, plus a ceremony paid for by the government, takes that burden off deserving households.
Check the portal or call 1312 before applying, as registration opens in phases and ceremony dates are announced separately.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Punjab Dhee Rani Programme?
It is a Punjab government scheme run by the Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department that arranges collective weddings for deserving brides and gives each bride Rs200,000 as salami on an ATM card.
Who can apply?
Orphans, women with disabilities, daughters of persons with disabilities, and women from financially struggling families, aged 18 to 40, with a Punjab domicile, unmarried, and with a confirmed marriage match.
How do I apply?
Register on the official portal at cmp.punjab.gov.pk with your name, CNIC, district and mobile number, then complete the application form and upload supporting documents. The helpline is 1312.
How is the money paid?
The Rs200,000 salami is loaded on a Bank of Punjab ATM card issued in the bride’s name, and the government pays for the collective wedding ceremony.
Is it a cash grant for any wedding?
No. It is only for brides who take part in the government’s collective wedding ceremonies. It is not a general cash grant for privately arranged weddings.
