Save Our Pak
Islamabad (26 December 2025): Dowry is widely seen as a social curse in Pakistan, yet a bill aimed at banning it failed to gain approval in the National Assembly.
Dowry places a heavy financial burden on the parents of brides. Many families, especially those with limited income, struggle to meet these demands. In some heartbreaking cases, parents are forced into serious debt, and daughters suffer emotional stress because of this outdated tradition.
To challenge this harmful practice, Member of National Assembly Sharmila Farooqi presented a bill that proposed declaring dowry illegal. The bill also suggested strict punishments for those who demand dowry. It aimed to protect families and promote fair and simple marriages.
According to the bill, parents would only be allowed to give voluntary gifts at the time of their daughter’s wedding. The proposal was discussed during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Interior, where detailed debate took place.
While supporting her bill, Sharmila Farooqi highlighted the social harm caused by dowry. She explained how it increases financial pressure on families, creates unfair treatment in marriages, and in some cases even leads to domestic violence.
Despite its importance, the committee rejected the bill. Officials reportedly cited traditional norms, legal complications, and enforcement difficulties as possible reasons for not approving the proposal.
Reported by Save Our Pak
