ISLAMABAD: The much-awaited Bill providing for restrictions on dowry and bridal gifts received wide support in the National Assembly when the House took up its consideration here this evening [May 4]. The piloting Minister, Maulana Kausar Niazi, explaining the provisions of the Bill, said it was in line with the efforts of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to introduce revolutionary reforms in society in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

The Bill, which is applicable to Muslims only, provides that neither the aggregate value of the dowry and presents given to the bride nor the aggregate value of the bridal gifts or … presents given to the bridegroom shall exceed five thousand rupees. No dowry, bridal gifts or presents may be given before or after six months of Nikah and Rukhsati. It also provides that total expenditure on a marriage, excluding the value of dowry, bridal gifts and presents but including the expenses on Mehndi, Baarat and Valima … shall not exceed two thousand and five hundred rupees. … …[Maulana Niazi] said the Bill would not affect the law of inheritance under which a girl is entitled to her share in [her] father’s property. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026