National Assembly body rejects bill seeking to ban dowry

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior has rejected a bill seeking to impose a ban on dowry.

The meeting of the Standing Committee, chaired by Khurram Nawaz, deliberated on the proposed legislation aimed at outlawing dowry practices.

The bill was presented by Member of the National Assembly Sharmila Faruqui and proposed declaring dowry illegal, along with prescribing penalties for violations. It also included a provision allowing parents to give voluntary gifts.

Following detailed discussion, the Standing Committee unanimously rejected the bill, declaring it impractical and unworkable.

Earlier, Supreme Court of Pakistan issued a landmark ruling affirming that a bride retains full ownership of her dowry and wedding gifts even after divorce.

The judgment, authored by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and spanning seven pages, clearly states that all items given to the bride as dowry or gifts are her unconditional and exclusive property.

The court ruled that neither the husband nor his relatives can claim ownership of dowry items or bridal gifts.

Moreover, any gift presented to the groom or his family will not be considered part of the dowry.

The judiciary, the verdict added, is only authorised to order the recovery of property that belongs exclusively to the bride.