ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province has launched a mass marriage program for 3,000 underprivileged women and started receiving applications in this regard, Pakistani state-run media reported on Monday.
Marriages are often a costly and extravagant affair in Pakistan, placing a significant financial burden on families, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds. The traditional South Asian wedding festivities include costly ceremonies, lavish food, and ornate decorations.
This financial burden has taken a toll on many Pakistanis as the country suffers a prolonged economic crisis characterized by soaring inflation and inflated power bills. As per local customs, the bride’s male relatives are also often expected to give dowry to the groom, with the condition often delaying marriages.
“Chief Minister Punjab’s ‘Dhee Rani’ Mass Wedding Program has been launched in the province,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported on Monday. “Under the program, the receiving of applications for inclusion in mass weddings has begun.”
Applications for the program can be submitted online at https://cm.punjab.gov.pk. A helpline has also been set up on 1312 in this regard, while special teams will visit homes of the applicants to ensure transparency, according to the report.
Under the mass marriage program, each bride will receive around Rs100,000 ($350) along with furniture, clothing, dinner set and 13 essential household items.
Mass marriages for lower-income communities are regularly held across Pakistan, supported by government initiatives, philanthropic efforts and local communities. The practice usually involves tens of couples who marry at a single ceremony, significantly reducing the costs.
In January, 122 Hindu couples were married in a similar ceremony hosted by the Pakistan Hindu Council in the country’s southern port city of Karachi.
Pakistan’s Punjab launches mass marriage program for 3,000 underprivileged women
https://arab.news/zb7nt
Pakistan’s Punjab launches mass marriage program for 3,000 underprivileged women
- Authorities start receiving applications, special teams will visit homes of applicants to ensure transparency
- Government will provide $350 cash, clothes, furniture, dinner sets and household items to underprivileged girls
Pakistani president arrives in Iraq to deepen trade, energy cooperation
- Visit follows recent high-level contacts as Islamabad seeks to expand limited commercial ties with Baghdad
- Talks are expected to cover investment, manpower and facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims visiting holy sites in Iraq
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Iraq on Saturday on an official visit aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, energy and investment, as Pakistan seeks to deepen ties with Baghdad after years of limited engagement.
Pakistan and Iraq established diplomatic relations in 1947 and have traditionally maintained cordial ties, though commercial links remain modest, with officials and business groups identifying scope for cooperation in construction services, pharmaceuticals, manpower and agricultural exports.
“President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Baghdad on a four-day official visit to Iraq,” his office said in a post on X. “He was received by Culture Minister Dr. Ahmed Fakkak Al-Badrani. During the visit, meetings with senior Iraqi leadership are expected to advance cooperation and further strengthen Pakistan-Iraq relations.”
Zardari’s visit follows a series of recent high-level contacts between the two countries, reflecting efforts to broaden bilateral engagement beyond traditional diplomatic ties and explore collaboration across economic, political and people-to-people domains.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the president is expected to hold meetings with Iraq’s senior leadership to discuss cooperation in various areas such as trade and investment, energy, technology, education and manpower.
He is also expected to discuss regional and international issues with Iraqi officials.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met his Iraqi counterpart, Abdul Ameer Al-Shammari, on the sidelines of meetings in Brussels, where both sides agreed to enhance cooperation on security and facilitate travel for Pakistani Shia pilgrims to Najaf and Karbala.
The two officials discussed measures to ensure the smoother movement of these pilgrims and their compliance with visa regulations.
