PESHAWAR: For the first time, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a state-sponsored mass wedding initiative to support underprivileged and orphaned couples.

The first official ceremony was held here on Friday, wherein 30 couples tied the knot.

The provincial government covered all wedding expenses and provided each bride with a financial grant of Rs200,000.

The event was organised by the department of Zakat and Ushr in collaboration with the Peshawar district administration.

Several dignitaries, including provincial ministers, special assistants, members of the provincial assembly, the director of social welfare department, the chairman of the Provincial Zakat Council, deputy commissioner, Peshawar, Sarmad Saleem Akram, and the district Zakat chairpersons attended the ceremony.

A special message from Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur was also played for the newlywed couples.

The government arranged pick-and-drop services for the couples, along with a grand wedding feast.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2025