Government Rejects Bill to Ban Dowry in Pakistan after a National Assembly committee labeled the proposed law impractical. The bill, introduced by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Sharmila Faruqui, aimed to criminalize dowry and set punishments for those demanding or giving it under pressure. Despite the bill’s intentions, the committee concluded it could not be implemented effectively.
The rejection highlights ongoing law implementation challenges in addressing the cultural practice of dowry in Pakistan. Faruqui’s draft allowed voluntary gifts to daughters, but lawmakers, led by MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz, considered enforcement difficult. The committee emphasized that dowry remains a sensitive issue intertwined with social norms.
Previously, the Supreme Court ruled on dowry-related disputes, stating that withholding dowry or maintenance based on alleged infertility is unlawful. The Court criticized the misuse of infertility claims against women, calling it a “sorrowful social practice” that reduces women to objects. These judicial measures provide a partial framework for curbing dowry abuse.
The Council of Islamic Ideology had also recommended revising the Dowry and Bridal Gift Act, including increasing punishments from six months to one year and updating financial caps for gifts. Experts argue that strengthening these legal frameworks could support women’s rights while considering cultural and social realities.
Although the bill to ban dowry was rejected, ongoing discussion emphasizes the social impact of dowry and the need for legal reforms. Advocates continue urging legislative and judicial responses to protect women from coercion and ensure compliance with modern marriage laws. Public awareness campaigns alongside stricter enforcement may gradually reduce dowry-related challenges in Pakistan.
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Government rejects bill to ban dowry in Pakistan, raising challenges in dowry criminalization and legal reforms for women’s rights.
