Punjab marriage functions bill challenged in LHC
Petitioner states that restrictions cannot be imposed on indoor marriage functions.
LAHORE (Web Desk) – A petition filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) by Advocate Syed Ali Gilani states that Marriage Functions Bill 2015 passed on Thursday by the Punjab Assembly contradicts with Pakistan’s constitution.
He said that restrictions cannot be imposed on indoor marriage functions as every citizen has the right to arrange the event inside his house.
The plaintiff asked the high court to stop the authorities from implementing this law.
The bill presented by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah prohibits ostentatious celebrations across the province.
According to the bill, a person celebrating his marriage or organizing the marriage of any other person shall not decorate or cause to be decorated any street, road or public park or any place other than the building, where marriage ceremony is being held, with lights or illumination. Explode or allow anyone to explode cracker or other explosive device including firing by firearms. Display or allow anyone to display fireworks. Display or allow any person to display dowry to the public eye and cause or allow any person to cause nuisance or disturbance to the neighbourhood.
The bill states that a person owning, managing or running a public place, being the site of marriage, shall ensure conclusion of all ceremonies relating to the marriage on or before 10:00 pm.
The bill further says a person celebrating his marriage or organizing the marriage of any other person shall not serve or allow anyone to serve meals or other edibles except one dish to the persons participating in the marriage.
If a person contravenes any of the sections, he will be guilty of an offence punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one month and fine which will not be less than Rs50,000 or more than Rs2 million.
