For a poor family, a daughter’s wedding can mean years of debt. The Punjab Dhee Rani Programme exists so no family has to borrow for this one occasion. Run by the Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department, Punjab, and approved by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, it arranges collective weddings and gives each bride Rs 200,000 as salami on a Bank of Punjab ATM card. The family pays nothing for the ceremony itself.
The scale has grown quickly. In 2024-25, a total of 3,000 brides were married under it, and the target for 2025-26 is 5,000 weddings. Behind those numbers are thousands of families who celebrated without debt.
The dashboard now lists 45 tentative wedding events from 12 November 2026 to 22 March 2027. Applications are coming in by the thousand, and verification teams are already visiting homes across the province. For families considering an application, the time to understand the rules is now.
| Detail | Punjab Dhee Rani Programme |
|---|---|
| Run by | Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department, Punjab |
| Salami per bride | Rs 200,000 on a Bank of Punjab ATM card |
| Weddings 2024-25 | 3,000 brides married |
| Target 2025-26 | 5,000 weddings |
| Wedding events | 45 tentative events, 12 Nov 2026 – 22 Mar 2027 |
| Helpline | 1312 |
| Official portal | cmp.punjab.gov.pk |
What the Programme Gives
Each bride receives Rs 200,000 as salami, paid through a Bank of Punjab ATM card in her own name. The card matters as much as the amount: the money goes directly to the bride. The wedding ceremony itself is arranged by the programme, so the family does not pay for the venue, food or arrangements.
One figure needs care. The portal also lists a Rs 121,000 gift in its FAQ section, while the home page currently highlights the Rs 200,000 salami. Treat the Rs 200,000 salami as the confirmed benefit and ask the helpline about anything else before counting on it.
Who Can Apply
The programme is meant for the most vulnerable brides. A bride can apply if she is an orphan, destitute, a person with a disability, or the daughter of a person with a disability. She must be between 18 and 40 years old, hold a Punjab domicile, be unmarried, and have a confirmed match. Brides of every religion can apply.
- Category: orphan, destitute, a person with disability, or daughter of a person with disability.
- Age: the bride must be between 18 and 40 years old.
- Domicile: the bride must hold a Punjab domicile.
- Status: the bride must be unmarried, with a confirmed match.
- Religion: brides of every religion can apply.
Families should check these conditions honestly before applying. An application that does not meet the category or age rules will not pass verification.
The 45 Wedding Events
- 45 events: tentative wedding events scheduled from 12 November 2026 to 22 March 2027.
- Collective ceremonies: brides from surrounding districts marry on the same day, giving families months of notice to apply, complete verification and prepare.
- Check the dashboard: event dates can shift, so check the latest date for your district rather than relying on word of mouth.
How Registration and Verification Work
Registration is done through the official portal at cmp.punjab.gov.pk. The portal showed a working Register button on 7 November 2026, with no last date printed. Registration is free, and no agent is authorised to charge anything for it.
After registration, verification teams visit the applicant’s home. Dashboard figures, as reported: 11,781 applications received, 9,910 visited by verification teams, and 966 fully verified. The gap between visits and full verification shows the teams check carefully.
Balloting and Selection
If applications exceed the available slots, selection is done through transparent electronic balloting. That is the fairest way to choose when thousands of families apply for a limited number of places, and it removes any chance of favouritism.
The best protection for an applicant is a complete and truthful application. Correct documents and an honest category claim make verification smooth. Any false claim discovered during a home visit can end the application.
What Families Should Remember
Only 20 guests in total, from both families, may attend the wedding. That limit keeps the ceremony manageable and fair for every bride, and families should plan their guest list around it. The limit applies to both families combined, not to each side separately.
Registration is free, and no agent is authorised to collect money for an application. Anyone who asks for a fee, promises a guaranteed selection, or offers to arrange a place is not acting for the government. Families with questions should call helpline 1312 or check the portal, and never hand money or original documents to a stranger.
Contact and Helpline Details
| Contact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official portal | cmp.punjab.gov.pk |
| Helpline | 1312 |
| Department | Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department, Punjab |
Conclusion
The Punjab Dhee Rani Programme gives vulnerable brides a wedding without debt and Rs 200,000 salami on a Bank of Punjab ATM card. With 3,000 brides married in 2024-25, a 5,000-wedding target for 2025-26, and 45 events from 12 November 2026 to 22 March 2027, the programme is reaching more families than ever. Eligible families should register on the official portal, welcome the verification visit with honest documents, and remember that registration is free and selection is by transparent balloting.
FAQs
How much salami does each bride get under the Dhee Rani Programme?
Each bride gets Rs 200,000 salami on a Bank of Punjab ATM card.
Who can apply for the Dhee Rani Programme?
Orphan, destitute, a person with disability, or daughter of a person with disability; aged 18 to 40; Punjab domicile; unmarried with a confirmed match. Brides of every religion can apply.
How many wedding events have been announced?
The dashboard lists 45 tentative wedding events from 12 November 2026 to 22 March 2027.
Is registration free?
Yes. Registration is free, and no agent is authorised to charge a fee.
How many guests can attend?
Only 20 guests in total from both families may attend the wedding.
The editor of epdpunjab.pk, covering the Environment Protection & Climate Change Department, Punjab and the CM Punjab Climate Leadership Development Internship Program 2026, with information verified from official sources.
