KARACHI: As 60 Hindu couples tied the knot at the YMCA Lawns on Sunday, the parents of those getting married were overjoyed.

"We couldn’t afford the wedding expenses and were planning on a small ceremony at home," said Radha, mother of bride Laxmi.

"Seeing so many people here, especially when they stop by and ask if we need anything, means a lot. I couldn’t have given my daughter that. It’s more than we expected," she added, beaming.

A similar story was heard by most of the families standing beside their daughters or sons, a story of being unable to afford the wedding.

As a result, they approached the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) to include their children as part of the mass wedding ceremony held annually.

Patron-in-chief PHC Ramesh Kumar Vankwani said the majority of couples at the ceremony hailed from various districts and towns of Sindh, including Tharparkar, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Jam Mohammad, as well as Karachi.

Vankwani could be seen doing rounds to check if things were in order. He shared how only couples who had gotten permission to get married were selected.

"We help with arranged or love marriages only when the families are involved in every step of the decision making. Similarly, it is the same case with inter-caste marriages. We don’t get involved in their personal squabbles and ensure that the process is clear to all the parties involved," he said.

Read more: 60 Hindu couples tie the knot at Karachi mass wedding