Thousands of deserving families in Punjab are about to see one of the province’s most popular welfare programmes reach a new milestone. The Punjab Dhee Rani Programme will begin its collective marriage ceremonies in Lahore on 12 November 2026, with 5,000 deserving couples set to benefit across the province during the current financial year. The announcement was made by Punjab Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Sohail Shaukat Butt while chairing the 10th meeting of the programme’s Provincial Steering Committee, which reviewed preparations, scrutiny of applications and arrangements for ceremonies across Punjab.
According to the latest official announcement, more than 25,000 applications have been received for this phase through the programme’s online portal and the Maryam Ko Batain mobile application. Verification at the tehsil level has already been completed for more than 7,500 applications, and the committee also reviewed the selection of eligible couples, coordination among the departments concerned and a proposed calendar of events for the financial year 2026-27.
What Was Announced on 28 October
Starting city: Ceremonies will commence in Lahore on 12 November 2026.
Total target: 5,000 deserving couples will benefit from collective marriage ceremonies across Punjab during 2026-27.
Applications received: More than 25,000 applications have come in through the online portal and the Maryam Ko Batain app.
Verification progress: Tehsil-level verification has been completed for more than 7,500 applications so far.
Selection standard: The minister directed officials to complete all preparations within the stipulated timelines and to follow the prescribed standard operating procedures strictly.
Core principle: Merit and transparency must be maintained at every stage of selection and implementation.
Programme aim: The initiative eases the financial burden on deserving families and lets brides begin married life with dignity.
Alongside the provincial announcement, preparations are also moving ahead in Faisalabad division, where the programme’s fourth phase will arrange collective weddings for 500 deserving girls across four districts. According to the official briefing there, the ceremonies are expected to be held in December 2026, and authorities have stepped up preparations to ensure transparent selection and dignified arrangements for the beneficiaries.
Faisalabad target: 500 collective weddings across four districts of the division.
Expected month: December 2026, as per the divisional briefing.
Applications so far: 1,607 applications received from the four districts.
Verified applicants: 604 applicants verified by tehsil verification committees.
Final scrutiny: The Punjab Information Technology Board will conduct the final scrutiny before eligibility is confirmed.
Earlier phases: Collective wedding ceremonies had already been arranged for 3,000 deserving girls across Punjab in the first three phases.
How the Programme Has Grown
Phase
Couples Covered
First three phases
3,000 girls
2025-26 target
5,000 couples
2026-27 target
5,000 couples
Faisalabad fourth phase
500 girls
What Families Should Know
Who it is for: The programme supports deserving girls from low-income families whose parents struggle with wedding expenses.
Equal respect: The Chief Minister has directed that no deserving daughter be left behind, whether Muslim or from a minority community, with equal respect and protocol for all.
Earlier package: In earlier phases, selected couples received a Salami Card worth Rs200,000 through ATM cards along with the organised ceremony. Families should confirm the current phase’s package from the department, as packages can be revised.
Check your status: Applicants who applied through the portal or the Maryam Ko Batain app should watch for the final scrutiny outcome, which follows tehsil verification.
Avoid agents: Applications go through the official portal and app only. No unofficial agent can secure selection, and families should not pay anyone for inclusion.
District ceremonies: After Lahore, ceremonies will roll out in other districts under the 2026-27 calendar reviewed by the steering committee.
Contact and Helpline Details
Channel
Detail
Department
Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal, Punjab
Applications
Programme online portal, Maryam Ko Batain app
Verification
Tehsil committees, final scrutiny by PITB
Conclusion
The Dhee Rani Programme’s November start in Lahore gives thousands of families a clear date to watch. With more than 25,000 applications already received and verification well under way, the 5,000-couple target for 2026-27 shows the programme continuing at full scale. Families who have applied should follow the official portal and app for their scrutiny result, and wait for the district-wise ceremony calendar rather than trusting unofficial lists.
FAQs
When do the Dhee Rani ceremonies start? Ceremonies commence in Lahore on 12 November 2026, with other districts following under the 2026-27 calendar.
How many couples will benefit this year? 5,000 deserving couples across Punjab during the financial year 2026-27.
How were applications submitted? Through the programme’s online portal and the Maryam Ko Batain mobile application.
What is the Faisalabad phase? The fourth phase in Faisalabad division covers 500 girls across four districts, with ceremonies expected in December 2026 after final scrutiny by the Punjab Information Technology Board.
Shahzad Sahil is the editor of plcpunjab.pk, covering Punjab government schemes including the Livestock Card, eligibility, registration and latest updates, with information verified from official sources for readers across Punjab.
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