In a bid to discourage extravagant marriages, Pakistan’s Punjab province has passed a law banning more than one dish being served, fireworks displays and dowry during wedding ceremonies.
In a bid to discourage extravagant marriages, Pakistan’s Punjab province has passed a law banning more than one dish being served, fireworks displays and dowry during wedding ceremonies.
Violations of the new law is punishable by imprisonment for a term up to one month and a fine upto Rs 20 lakhs.
Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif vowed to strictly implement the new law, saying it will help promote “simplicity” and discourage “unnecessary extravagance” in marriage functions in the province.
The Punjab Assembly on Thursday passed the law. The law bars firecrackers and firearms during weddings.
The law disallows the display of dowry in public as well as causing any disturbances in the neighbourhood that go beyond what is considered reasonable celebrations.
It also prohibits serving of more than one dish to guests in a marriage ceremony at any public place and bans managers of hotels, restaurants and caterers from serving more than one dish in a marriage ceremony.
The law also requires of all those owning, managing or running a public place being used to host a wedding to ensure that all ceremonies relating to the marriage must be concluded on or before 10 pm.
An offence under this act shall be bailable and cognisable on a complaint by an officer notified by the government, while a first-class magistrate is authorised to summarily try an offence under this law.
