The Dhee Rani program is the Punjab government’s wedding support scheme for poor and deserving families who cannot afford their daughter’s marriage expenses. Run by the Punjab Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Department under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, it arranges collective (mass) wedding ceremonies and gives each selected bride a cash gift plus a household gift package. Registration is completely free, and selection is done through document verification and, where applications exceed seats, electronic balloting.
Direct answer: The Dhee Rani program helps low-income Punjab families marry their daughters with dignity. Eligible brides aged 18–40 who are orphaned, disabled, destitute, or daughters of disabled parents receive a cash salami and a household gift package at a government-arranged mass wedding. Apply free online at cmp.punjab.gov.pk or at your district Deputy Director Social Welfare office; selection is by verification and e-balloting.
What Is the Dhee Rani Program?
Marriage is a major financial burden for low-income families in Pakistan. Between the venue, food, clothes, and setting up a new home, wedding costs can run into hundreds of thousands of rupees — money that poor families simply do not have. The punjab wedding support scheme known as Dhee Rani was created to remove that burden.
Under the program, the Punjab government organises collective wedding ceremonies in which many couples are married at a single, dignified event. The government arranges the venue, decorations, security, and meals for the families and guests. Each bride also receives financial assistance and essential household goods, so the new couple starts married life with basic necessities already in place.
The program is open to all communities — the launch ceremony married 51 couples, including couples from minority communities, in one grand event. It is a welfare scheme, not a loan: beneficiaries do not repay anything.
What Does the Dhee Rani Program Give?
Each selected bride receives three things:
1. Cash gift (salami) through the Dhee Rani Card
The bride receives a cash salami transferred through a Bank of Punjab ATM card, commonly called the maryam nawaz dhee rani card. The current salami is Rs 200,000; earlier phases and older portal FAQs showed Rs 100,000. The cash helps the family cover wedding-related costs and gives the bride financial support at the start of her married life.
2. Household gift package
Along with the cash, earlier phases included a dowry/household package of essential items: Holy Quran, prayer mat, double bed with mattress, dinner set, glass set, dressing table with mirror, and other basic household goods. In the pre–19 April 2025 phase that goods package alone was valued at about Rs 206,000, separate from the cash salami; since 19 April 2025 the goods package has been replaced by a Rs 121,000 gift on the ATM card — check the portal for the current phase.
3. A fully arranged mass wedding
The government organises the collective ceremony: venue, stage, decorations, meals for both families’ guests, and security. Families do not pay for the ceremony itself. This is the core of the punjab mass wedding scheme model — shared celebrations that cut individual costs dramatically while keeping the occasion dignified.
| Benefit | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Cash salami | Rs 200,000 via Bank of Punjab ATM card (earlier phases Rs 100,000) |
| Household package | Earlier phases: bed, mattress, dinner set, Quran, prayer mat, other essentials; since 19 Apr 2025 replaced by a Rs 121,000 ATM gift — check the portal for the current phase |
| Wedding ceremony | Venue, food, decorations, security — arranged by the Social Welfare Department |
| Cost to family | Rs 0 — registration and participation are free |
Dhee Rani Program Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
Dhee rani program eligibility is deliberately narrow: the scheme targets the most vulnerable girls. You can apply if all of the following apply:
- Age: The bride is between 18 and 40 years old.
- Residency: The bride is a permanent resident of Punjab and holds a Punjab domicile.
- Marital status: The bride is unmarried, and has a confirmed proposal (rishta). If the Nikkah has already taken place, do not apply.
- Vulnerability category: The bride is orphaned, destitute, a person with disability (PWD), or the daughter of a disabled parent. Priority is given to these categories.
- Willingness: The bride (and her family) must be willing to participate in a collective wedding ceremony, confirmed by a signed affidavit.
- One application: Only one application per eligible bride; duplicate applications can lead to rejection.
Who can submit the application?
The application may be submitted by the bride herself, her father, her mother, or her legal guardian. The applicant must have a valid CNIC and a mobile number registered in their own name for SMS updates.
Who is NOT eligible?
- Brides under 18 or over 40.
- Brides who are already married or whose Nikkah is already done.
- Families resident outside Punjab.
- Anyone unwilling to attend the collective ceremony — the program does not give cash for private weddings.
How to Apply for the Dhee Rani Program (Dhee Rani Apply Guide)
There are two routes — online and offline. Both are free.
Online application
- Visit the official portal: Go to cmp.punjab.gov.pk (confirm it is open — it was showing registration closed in late September 2026) and find the Dhee Rani / Collective Marriages section.
- Register an account: Sign up using the applicant’s CNIC and mobile number. You will receive an OTP to verify the number.
- Fill the application form: Enter the bride’s personal details, address, family background, and socio-economic information, plus details of the confirmed rishta.
- Upload documents: Upload clear scans of the CNICs, domicile certificate, affidavit, and any disability or orphan certificate.
- Submit and save your tracking number: Review the form carefully, submit, and note the tracking/reference number. You will receive SMS updates on your application status.
Offline application
If you do not have internet access, visit your district’s Deputy Director Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Mal office and ask for the “Dhee Rani Registration Form.” Staff there can help you fill it in and submit it with your documents. There is no fee at any stage.
Helpline
For questions about the program, call the Social Welfare helpline 1312.
Documents Needed for Dhee Rani Registration
Keep these ready before you start, so your application is not delayed or rejected:
- CNIC of the bride (original and copy)
- CNIC of the father, mother, or guardian
- Punjab domicile certificate of the bride
- Affidavit confirming the bride is unmarried and willing to participate in the collective ceremony
- Disability certificate (if the bride or her parent is a person with disability)
- Orphan certificate or proof of destitute status (where applicable)
- Recent passport-size photographs of the bride
- Income proof or guardian’s details, if asked for (document requirements can vary by district).
Incomplete or incorrect applications are a common reason for rejection, so double-check every document before submitting.
How Beneficiaries Are Selected
Selection is not first-come, first-served. The process works like this:
- Document screening: Officials check every application and its documents for completeness and eligibility.
- Home verification visit: Government teams may visit the applicant’s home to verify the family’s circumstances and the information given in the form.
- Electronic balloting: If the number of eligible applications exceeds the available seats in a phase, selection is done through a transparent electronic ballot (lottery).
- SMS notification: Selected applicants are informed by SMS and given the date, venue, and details of the mass wedding ceremony.
Phases are announced periodically, with district quotas per phase — confirm the current phase and quotas on the portal or via 1312. If you are not selected in one phase, watch for the next phase announcement rather than paying anyone who promises a seat.
Dhee Rani Program: Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying after Nikkah: If the marriage is already solemnised, the application will be rejected. Apply only while the rishta is confirmed but the Nikkah is pending.
- Wrong domicile: The bride must hold a Punjab domicile. A CNIC address alone may not be enough.
- Paying an agent: Registration is 100% free. Anyone demanding a fee, “processing charge,” or a share of the salami is running a scam.
- Sharing your ATM card or PIN: The Dhee Rani Card is issued in the bride’s name. Never hand the card or PIN to an agent or stranger.
- Fake portals: Only use cmp.punjab.gov.pk and official Social Welfare Department channels. Websites asking for payment or bank details are fake.
Scam Warnings: Protect Yourself
The Dhee Rani program’s popularity has attracted fraudsters. Remember these rules:
- No official ever asks for money to register you, speed up your application, or guarantee selection.
- No official asks for your bank account password, ATM PIN, or OTP over the phone or WhatsApp.
- Verify SMS messages: Genuine updates come through official government channels. Be suspicious of messages from personal mobile numbers claiming you have been selected and asking you to pay a “delivery fee” for your card.
- Report fraud: If someone demands money in the program’s name, report it to your district Social Welfare office or the helpline 1312, and do not pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Dhee Rani program?
The Dhee Rani program is a Punjab government welfare scheme that arranges collective weddings for poor, orphaned, or disabled girls and gives each selected bride a cash salami and a household gift package, free of charge.
2. How much money does a bride get under Dhee Rani?
The current salami is Rs 200,000; earlier phases gave Rs 100,000. Confirm the current phase’s amount on cmp.punjab.gov.pk before applying.
3. Who is eligible for the Dhee Rani program?
Unmarried girls aged 18–40 who are Punjab residents and are orphaned, destitute, disabled, or daughters of disabled parents, with a confirmed rishta and willingness to join a mass wedding ceremony.
4. How do I apply for Dhee Rani online?
Apply free at cmp.punjab.gov.pk when registration is open, using your CNIC and mobile number, upload the required documents, and save your tracking number. You can also apply in person at your district Deputy Director Social Welfare office.
5. What documents are needed for Dhee Rani registration?
The bride’s and guardian’s CNICs, Punjab domicile, an affidavit of unmarried status, disability or orphan certificates where applicable, photographs, and income details if requested.
6. How are Dhee Rani beneficiaries selected?
After document screening and home verification, if applications exceed seats, selection is done by electronic balloting. Selected applicants are notified by SMS.
7. Can I apply if my Nikkah is already done?
No. Only unmarried brides with a confirmed rishta are eligible. If the Nikkah has already taken place, do not apply.
8. Is Dhee Rani registration really free?
Yes. Registration, verification, and participation are completely free. Anyone asking for payment is a fraudster — report them to the Social Welfare Department.