ISLAMABAD: Uncertainty ahead of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Azadi March has also affected weddings in the capital, causing problems for both wedding halls and hosts.

Wedding hall managers have been facing questions from clients about the expected law and order situation and the condition of roads in the coming days.

Since many wedding halls and marquees are located on the Islamabad Expressway, guests and hosts are also concerned about their safety.

The managers of such establishments, meanwhile, are fending off questions from clients.

“There have been several changes to programmes. Many people have asked to cancel their bookings, and some have opted to move the date forward,” Islamabad Caterers Association President Salman Ashraf.

He added that everyone who has booked for a large gathering is seeking advice on how to reduce the number of guests.

“Our average calculation is that around 25 to 30pc of guests come from Rawalpindi,” he said, adding: “The problem arises because of the road blocks.”

Wedding halls charge clients according to the guests booked, even if the actual number of guests on the day is lower.

“If there are fewer guests we pack the food and give it to them,” Naz Hassan said. “If the number of guests increases significantly, we have a kitchen and begin making preparations.”

Many managers of wedding marquees and halls on the Expressway said this political situation has emerged at the start of their business season, since there are few weddings in Muharram and Safar.

“Weddings are one of the key events in life in our society and people book up to six months in advance. There is a whole process involved; people look at various marquees, negotiate charges, some even determine the dates based on good omens in religious terms,” Empire Marquee General Manager Inamul Haq said.

It is not an easy decision to change the dates, he said, but many people are taking the risk by holding their events today (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday).

“If anything happens, the ceremony will be attended by those in the bride and grooms’ close family circles,” he said.

However, the decision between the local administration and the JUI-F that the march will be held in H-9 has given wedding hall managers on the Expressway that the Faizabad interchange will stay open.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2019