n a typical Pakistani middle-class household, a wedding is seen as one ‘occasion’ that carries a lot of economic, cultural and familial significance. For countless poor families, however, it spells financial trouble — be it in terms of arranging dowry for their daughters, or bearing the wedding-day expenses. In order to address these issues, Punjab’s Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department recently rolled out a project, cleverly titled Dhee Rani Programme.

The project seeks to facilitate underprivileged households across the province. To quote the SWD secretary, Javed Akhtar Mahmood, the idea behind Dhee Rani Programme is “to help the poor families manage their daughters’ wedding expenses with dignity.”

The project involves mass weddings that will be held twice a year, accommodating approximately 3,000 couples per event. The initiative is expected to cost around Rs 1 billion, half of which has already been allocated. Along with a dowry package worth Rs 206,000, each couple will receive Rs 100,000 in cash, via Bank of Punjab’s ATM cards.

The programme is being widely advertised across media platforms. The provincial government has outlined an application process with eligibility criteria targeting girls/ women who are orphans, persons with disabilities, or daughters of disabled parents. The applicant or their guardian must hold a valid Punjab domicile and national ID card.

Mahmood says that over 4,000 applications have been received so far which proves that the project is a success already.

The nuptials are processed through an online portal. The idea is to minimise human interference. An added layer of verification, including tehsil-level committees and a provincial steering committee, will authenticate each application to ensure transparency.

“We’re taking every measure to prevent any ghost applicants from benefiting,” Mahmood says. The final selection is made by a provincial steering committee led by the minister for SWD.

Talking about the logistical challenges posed by the current weather conditions in parts of the Punjab, particularly the smog, Mahmood says, “Our field officers are doing their best, but poor visibility and bad weather could delay the verification process.”

He also talks of a grievance redress mechanism, which is led by the deputy commissioners who designate officers to handle complaints. If unresolved, the grievances can be escalated to the director general or the secretary for final decision.

The project has already won many a supporter. Abdul Sattar, a journalist who writes on social issues, views Dhee Rani Programme as a positive intervention. “The cost of a marriage has gone up manifold,” he says, “especially for families at the bottom layer of our society. Such projects ease their burden.”

According to Sattar, over 90 million people in Pakistan are living below poverty line. “Back in the day, the government had successfully implemented a one-dish policy. This must be revived. Food is becoming increasingly unaffordable, especially in today’s hyper inflation,” he adds. “When the government checks lavish weddings, it indirectly helps reduce the pressure associated with wedding-day expenses.”

espite its perceived benefits, Dhee Rani Programme has drawn criticism from some women’s rights advocates who believe it promotes the abominable practice of dowry.

Mumtaz Mughal, a representative of Aurat March, says it’s “a well-intentioned but flawed solution to a complex issue.”

Explaining her point, Mughal says, “While [the project] claims to address the dowry needs, it risks reinforcing the very societal norms that perpetuate the demand for dowry.

She adds, “Dowry is a societal custom deeply ingrained in our communities. Dowries are given and received, viewed positively by some and negatively by others. However, when the government begins to endorse such practices, it becomes imperative for us to question its implications. The government’s role should be to empower individuals and create conditions where families can hold wedding ceremonies according to their means and preferences, without relying on state-funded dowries.

“Contribution to dowries or wedding meals doesn’t address the core issue, particularly to do with inheritance and social protections, because of which women continue to be marginalised.”

Mughal proposes that the government should play an active role in ensuring that women’s right to inheritance is not overlooked or disregarded. Furthermore, she wishes that the government should “invest in comprehensive welfare initiatives that create an environment in which weddings are a joyous occasion celebrated freely, without any financial pressure.”

It may be mentioned here that the Punjab government had previously implemented a Dowry and Marriage Gifts Act that sets limits on dowry spending.

Ahsan Malik is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship