OSTENTATIOUS marriage functions are the cause of many ills in our society. The price of food is at an all-time high, and a simple menu of one dish each of meat, rice and dessert should be sufficient.

Even if the rich can afford to serve half a dozen or more dishes, it creates a shortage of the commodity in the market and the prices increase beyond the reach of the poor.

It has also been observed that since dinner is served as late as midnight, the elderly and children eat before going to the function and much of the food is wasted.

The illumination is also far in excess which is a waste of electricity in the face of loadshedding and adds to the price of the utility and the oil import bill.

Lastly, the guest list must be limited to a reasonable number of close family members and friends and should not exceed 400. All these restrictions are being strictly enforced in Punjab for the last one decade.

A couple of years ago, similar orders were issued by the then Sindh chief minister but the caterer-wedding hall mafia prevailed and we continued in our wasteful ways.

Let us hope that the new government will find the will and strength to implement the above reforms.

Asif Jah
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2018