QUETTA, June 4: Twenty-seven couples will tie the knot during a mass wedding ceremony here on Sunday afternoon under the auspices of the provincial social welfare ministry’s women development department. The joint nuptial ceremony will be solemnised by Qari Abdul Rasheed. Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yusuf will be the chief guest.

Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Begum Shama Parveen Magsi told a news conference on Saturday that the women’s development department had arranged Rs3.3 million in dowry goods for the brides.

Each newly-wed couple will be presented with a cross cheque of Rs10,000 on the occasion, the minister said.

She disclosed that the department would be opening a separate bank account to continue this process and that philanthropists and other individuals and groups would be invited to donate to the cause.—PPI