ISLAMABAD, July 26: A two-day national workshop to discuss draft law on prohibiting excessive expenditure on marriage ceremony and dowry concluded here on Saturday.

The workshop was organized by Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan in collaboration with the Society for Advancement of Community, Health, Education and Training (SACHET).

The workhshop was aimed at giving relief to the people by imposing restrictions on ostentatious displays on marriage ceremonies, limiting the value of dowry and bridal gifts and enhancing the penalty on its violation.

Presiding over the concluding session, the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Syed Saeed Arshad, said the proposed Act was to impose certain limits over the value of dowry and expenditure of weddings to relieve financially-hit people from the burden of unnecessary social customs.

Secretary Law and Justice Commission Dr Faqir Hussain said the issue of dowry and excessive marriage expenditure was of immense public importance. “There is a consensus at federal and public level that the issue requires fresh legislation,” he observed.

He said the public needed to be sensitized to this problem which highly affects the social setup of families. At present, he said, the Dowry Act 1976 still existed but the weak system of enforcing had made the law ineffective. He said recommendations ensuring effective enforcement of the law, would also be submitted to the Law and Justice Commission.

Dr Rukhshanda Perveen presented proposals and amendments to be made in the draft law. —APP