As many as 75 couples tied the knot in a mass wedding organised by the Madinah Foundation at the University of Faisalabad late on Tuesday night.
Professor Mohammad Iqbal Tahir and the pro-rector of the university were the chief guests.
The couples were given a dowry and essential items of daily use. Over 2,500 people attended the ceremony.
Clubs of the university also gave gifts to the newlyweds.
Speaking on the occasion, Tahir lauded the services of Madinah Foundation and appreciated efforts of students of the university for organising the mass wedding.
Dr Abdul Karim Baloch, pro-rector at the university, said over 2,100 couples had been married through Madinah Foundation.
“We have been preparing this event for nearly five months. I am very happy that the day has brought great joy to so many people,” he said.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Naveed Hussain, a groom, said he was grateful to the organisers for arranging his marriage and for bearing its expenses.
“Being an orphan, I never thought I would get married. This is like a dream come true,” he said.
Shama Rafiq, a bride, said her parents had died many years ago.
“The organisers not only looked after us but also found our partners.”
Sabiha Ramzan, another bride, said she belonged to a poor family. She said her parents could not afford a wedding and a dowry.
Naheeda Zia, mother of bride Nabeela Zia, said she came from a poor family. She said her husband was disabled and could not work.
“We had been very worried about our daughters’ future. We never thought this day would come!”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2014.