TAXILA: As many as 12 couples, including one belonging to the Christian community, tied the knot at a mass marriage ceremony at a local hotel on Sunday.

It was the fifth consecutive mass marriage ceremony organised by Minhaj Welfare Foundation (MWF), Taxila chapter. The organisers said so far 53 couple had solemnised their marriages under the arrangements made by the MWF.

During the ceremony, each bride was gifted household stuff worth over Rs100,000. The items consisted of a copy of the holy Quran, a prayer mat, cupboard, bed, chairs, table, briefcase, sewing machine, washing machine, fan, iron, clock, utensils, dinner set, tea set, mattress and make-up items.

Dr Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri, the head of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) supreme council, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, he underlined the need for promoting philanthropy in society. He said it was the individual and collective responsibility of those who can afford to help the poor lessen their sufferings.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2015

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