SWABI: Speakers at a function held here on Sunday called for ending the social evil of dowry and solemnising marriages in a simple way to facilitate the poor families.

The event was organised by Syed Safdar Ali Shah Memorial Trust, a local welfare organisation.

Politicians, mediapersons and members of various NGOs attended the event.

The organisers said they were providing financial assistance to the poor girls on the occasion of their marriages, besides providing the poor girls and boys with an opportunity to get education.

Speaking on the occasion, former provincial minister Awal Sher Khan said the curse of dowry created numerous problems for the poor girls and their parents. “We should get rid of the curse of dowry to facilitate the poor families,” he said.

Haji Bakhat Sher, president of Islahi Jirga of Yar Hussain region, said in the past marriages were done in a simple way, but with the advent of modernity people forgot their past values, thus creating raptures in the society. Aqil Mohammed Advocate, a human rights activist, said girl’s rights were flagrantly violated in the society.

The other speakers demanded that the society as a whole should work for eradication of the social evil of dowry.

RESTAURANT SEALED: Swabi additional deputy commissioner Gohar Ali sealed a restaurant over violation of Covid-19-induced standard operating procedures on Sunday.

When contacted, an official of the administration told Dawn that the restaurant would remain closed till further orders. He said such action would be taken against other restaurants as well if they failed to implement the SOPs. However, a staffer of the sealed restaurant said they had advised the visitors to follow SOPs, but some of them were not observing the precautions.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2021