Marriage Functions (Prohibition of Ostentatious Displays and Wasteful Expenses) Ordinance, 2000

This 2000 Ordinance restricts extravagant spending and displays at Pakistani weddings, aiming to curb the financial burden that lavish marriage functions can place on families. Section 2 defines "marriage" broadly to include all the connected ceremonies — nikah, rukhsati, walima, mehndi, rasm-e-hina, and other related functions and festivities, not just the formal wedding itself.

Section 3 bans decorating houses, buildings, streets, or roads with lights or illumination for a wedding (beyond what's ordinarily needed to light the venue), setting off firecrackers or other explosives (including celebratory gunfire), and displaying fireworks in connection with a marriage.

Section 4 restricts the food that can be served at any marriage-related event held in a club, hotel, restaurant, wedding hall, or community centre to just one dish — one curry (salan), rice with roti, and one sweet dish — along with hot and cold soft drinks; this restriction does not apply to ordinary family meals eaten privately at home by the family or house guests. Section 5 places the same restriction directly on hotels, restaurants, wedding halls, community centres, clubs, and caterers hosting or serving a wedding function.

Section 6 sets the penalty for violating Sections 3, 4, or 5: simple imprisonment up to one month, or a fine of not less than one hundred thousand rupees and not more than five hundred thousand rupees, or both. Section 7 makes these offences non-cognizable, meaning prosecution requires a written complaint from an officer or agency the Federal or Provincial Government specifically designates, and cases are tried only by a Magistrate of the first class or above.