SWAT: A jirga on Sunday decided to eliminate unnecessary customs being in vogue in Manglawar area of Swat as these were a big drain on the people’s finances.

Speaking at a meeting held here, members of the Manglawar Qaumi Jirga said the Nikah would be performed only in mosques and the weddings would be simple, and that the mehr (dowry) from husband’s family would be only seven tola gold.

The jirga decided that participants of a wedding ceremony would be served with only dates; bridal dress won’t be highly expensive and groom would give only 10 suits to the bride. Walima or the marriage banquet would be simple and according to financial strength of the families. Marriage banquet won’t be held in a wedding hall, and only five vehicles would be used in wedding procession. No fireworks would be allowed at weddings or other ceremonies. Dance parties would also not be arranged.

The jirga said the bride’s father won’t give money to the groom’s father and won’t send food too. List of dowry items would be simple and short, and parents of bride would gift suits to anyone other than the father and mother-in-law of the bride.

The jirga said no gold jewellery or other stuff made of gold would be gifted on the birth of a girl child and only five suits could be bought for the mother and her child.

The jirga decided that neither sweets nor tea would be served during the mourning period, nor would other rituals like soyam and chehlum be held after the funeral prayers.

The jirga also banned birthday celebrations, and said mothers, sisters and daughters would have share in inheritance.

However, the participants said the decisions won’t be imposed, but would be implemented with mutual consent.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2022