QUETTA - A mass-marriage ceremony of 75 couples was arranged by Social Welfare Department on Saturday at Boys Scouts Headquarters which was funded by the chief minister of the province.
The Social Welfare Department had made arrangements for 100 couples out of which 75 couples contracted marriage in Quetta yesterday while 25 would tie the knot in Nasirabad within few days, said Sardar Khan Bugti, the provincial social welfare secretary.
Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qadus Bizenjo was the chief guest of the event whereas provincial ministers and advisers were also present.
Addressing the event, Bizenjo congratulated the new couples who tied the knot and wished good and happy married lives for them.
The chief minister said that he loved the people of Balochistan so much that was why he always tried to promote social activities.
He maintained that attending the mass-marriage ceremony despite busy schedule was meant to participate in the joys of these destitute youth who got married.
Mir Bizenjo went on to say that his government was ready to take every possible measure for welfare of the people and pledged to mobilise all available resources for the betterment of masses.
The chief minister said that they had to face financial issues after coming into power and still the government was making efforts to address public grievances within the limits of inadequate resources.
On allocation of budget for such events, Bizenjo said they would reserve funds if they had presented provincial budget. He also announced Rs100,000 for each couple.
Adviser to CM for Social Welfare Shehzad Saleh Bhootani, congratulating the newly-married couples, said Social Welfare Department should organize such events each year so that burden on poor parents could be lessened.
Out of 100 couples, 75 tied the knot in Quetta, provincial Secretary Social Welfare Sardar Khan Bugti said, adding, remaining 25 couples’ marriage ceremony would be held within few days in Nasirabad.
The secretary said that the overall expenses on the ceremony of collective marriage was estimated around Rs20 million and expenditure on each couple was up to Rs0.2 million.
A set of gold and household goods were also given to each couple by the government, disclosed the secretary.
