Pakistan province deems dowry, fireworks during weddings illegal

Pakistan's Punjab province has passed a law governing marriage functions, disallowing dowry, unreasonable illumination, display of fireworks and causing nuisance to neighbours.

The law was passed by the Punjab Assembly on Thursday, Dawn online reported on Friday.

According to the law, a person celebrating his (own) or organising marriage of any other person shall not decorate or cause to be decorated any street, road, or pubic park or any place other than the building where marriage ceremony is being held, with lights or illumination.

It bars sexploding or allowing anyone to explode cracker or other explosive device, including firing by firearms, and displaying or allowing anyone to display fireworks.

Similarly, it disallows display of dowry to the public eye and causing nuisance or disturbance to the neighbourhood beyond reasonable celebrations.

Clause 4 of the law prohibits serving of more than one dish meal to guests in a marriage ceremony at any public place. The next clause bans managers of hotels, restaurants, caterers from serving more than one dish in a marriage ceremony.

The law also asked all those owning, managing or running a public place being the site of a marriage to ensure conclusion of all ceremonies relating to the marriage on or before 10.00 p.m.

The provincial government has warned that violations may be punished with simple imprisonment for a term up to one month and fine upto 2 million Pakistani rupees (about $19,100).