Dowry Pressure Casts a Shadow Over Wedding Celebrations, Burdening Parents Financially
UrduPoint
Published August 23, 2026 | 01:30 PM
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 23rd Aug, 2026)
A father, whose tiredness is etched across his weathered face, frantically dashes from one place to another, searching for funds to cater to his daughter’s wedding expenses and meet the exorbitant dowry demands from her in-laws. A once-vivid room, filled with hope and innocence, now hangs heavy with doubt and questioning.
The groom’s family’s mention of dowry struck a chord, turning the father’s joyful spirit into one of unrest and worry, as he pondered how to acquire expensive items to appease them. For Shabnam from Sargodha, this is a very real predicament. Her niece’s wedding is scheduled for two months hence, but her father has passed away, leaving the family in dire financial straits.
Despite their knowledge of the family’s situation, the groom’s relatives continue to demand elaborate items like woven rope beds, a washing machine, double beds, a refrigerator, a rug, and kitchen utensils. They justify these heavy demands as customary, showing no compassion towards a struggling family.
Historically, bestowing items upon a daughter began as a means of assisting her financially, but over time, it evolved into a tradition laden with pride. Today, low-income and middle-class families bear the brunt of this custom.
In a country where securing stable employment and a good income is a significant challenge, parents grapple daily to afford basic necessities, let alone meet the exorbitant dowry demands. Studies in rural Faisalabad reveal that an average dowry starts at approximately Rs 157,640, a sum that is out of reach for families earning less than Rs 30,000 to 50,000 per month. To meet these demands, parents resort to borrowing money from lenders, selling their land or valuable belongings, and cutting back on essential expenses.
Amna shares a poignant story about Rukhsana from village Qubo Saeed Khan. Her family’s poverty was such that they could not provide any dowry. Ultimately, they were compelled to marry her off to a man with severe mental health issues due to the absence of any dowry from their side.
This narrative underscores the profound financial and psychological pressure placed on parents by the dowry system. It not only forces them into difficult decisions that can ruin their daughter’s life but also inflicts immense mental stress and anxiety. They bear the burden of constant guilt, sadness, and the fear of societal judgment. At the same time, young daughters watch their elderly fathers toil long hours in labor, their once-vibrant hair now tinged with grey. Due to the insistence on dowry, daughters are often perceived as a financial encumbrance rather than a cherished gift.
Psychological expert Zilehuma Suleman warns that dowry not only imposes a financial strain but also fosters an unhealthy power dynamic within marriage. When a bride’s family is unable to fulfill the dowry demands, it creates an imbalance of power, often leading to marital dissatisfaction and abuse.
