The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Monday decided to provide a cash grant of Rs 200,000 to each of the deserving brides in mass wedding events to be organized at divisional and district levels across the province.
A series of decisions were taken at a high-level meeting chaired by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to discuss social initiatives including the use of Zakat and dowry funds.
The meeting was attended by KP Social Welfare Minister, senior officials, Peshawar Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and other relevant authorities.
Senior officials made key decisions to support disadvantaged segments of society, including a mass marriage program.
It was decided that the mass weddings, funded by the provincial government, would be organized for over 4,000 underprivileged girls and each bride would receive Rs 200,000 in cash.
The government has also decided to maintain transparency to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive the support.
Weddings are an expensive affair in Pakistan, where the bride’s male relatives are also often expected to pay a dowry to the groom’s family, delaying women’s marriage.
Mass weddings, which typically involve dozens of couples marrying in a single ceremony, are commonly celebrated across Pakistan with the support of the government, non-governmental organizations and philanthropists to support low-income communities .
It was also decided that Panahgah (accommodation homes) would be continuously funded from the provincial budget and distribution of wheelchairs to students with disabilities, starting with tertiary institutions.
The authorities were tasked with establishing old age homes with living and recreational facilities.
The meeting decided on the launch of ‘Orphan Cards’ to provide Rs 5,000 per month to school-going orphans and a proposal to introduce ‘Ration Cards’ providing Rs 5,000 per month to elderly widows.
The chief minister asked the authorities to finalize the implementation plans within a week, emphasizing the government’s commitment to helping the underprivileged, in line with the vision of a welfare state.