Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act, 1976 - Khalid Zafar & Associates

Khalid Zafar & Associates / Laws Of Pakistan / Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act, 1976

This Act may be called as Dowry and Bridal Gifts (Restriction) Act, 1976 and is enacted to provide for restriction on dowry and bridal gifts and for matters connected with it. It extends to the whole of Pakistan and applies to all citizens of Pakistan. Under this Act the aggregate value of the dowry and presents given to the bride by her parents and the aggregate value of the bridal gifts or presents given to the bridegroom shall not exceed five thous and rupees. The total expenditure on a marriage, excluding the value of dowry, bridal gifts and presents, but including the expenses on mehndi, baarat and valima, incurred by either party to the marriage shall not exceed two thous and and five hundred rupees. The parents of each party to a marriage shall furnish to the Registrar lists of dowry, bridal gifts and presents given or received in connection with the marriage under Section 8 of this Act. Whoever, contravenes, or fails to comply with, any provision of this Act shall be punished under Section 9. An offence punishable under this Act shall be triable only by a Family Court established under the West Pakistan Family Courts Act, 1964.