Lahore: In a bid to discourage ostentatious marriages, Pakistan's Punjab province has passed a law banning serving of more than one dish, display of fireworks and dowry during the wedding ceremony.
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 has vowed to strictly implement the new law, saying it will help promote 'simplicity' and discourage 'unnecessary show off' in marriage functions in the province.
The Punjab Assembly on Friday passed the law with majority. The law bars such a person from exploding or allowing anyone to explode cracker or other explosive device, including firing by firearms, and displaying or allowing anyone to display fireworks.
It disallows display of dowry to the public eye and causing nuisance or disturbance to the neighbourhood beyond reasonable celebrations. It also prohibits serving of more than one dish meal to guests in a marriage ceremony at any public place and 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 pm.
An offence under this act shall be bailable and cognizable 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.
