Punjab Expands Dhee Rani Program Quota and Doubles Marriage Grant

The Punjab government has decided to expand the quota of the “Dhee Rani Program” from 3,000 to 5,000 beneficiaries.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also approved an increase in the cash grant under the program from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 200,000.

For the financial year 2025–26, the Punjab Finance Department has allocated Rs. 1.70 billion for the Dhee Rani Program. The Project Steering Committee has formally approved the expansion and the revised financial framework.

However, vendor payments amounting to Rs. 660 million could not be included in the budget. Outstanding bills related to the program media campaign will be cleared during the current financial year.

The Finance Department has directed that the advertising campaign be run through the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR). An amount of Rs. 50 million will be required for branding Dhee Rani ceremonies across Punjab’s 36 districts.

Additionally, Rs. 8 million will be spent on Bank of Punjab (BOP) cards for 5,000 marriages during the 2025–26 financial year.

The Finance Department has rejected a proposal seeking an additional Rs. 223 million and has decided that the programme will be completed within the approved Rs. 1.70 billion budget.