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Shaadi Hisab
اردوPlan

Updated 2026-11-04

One dish law and wedding time limits in Pakistan

In Punjab only one dish may be served at a public place and every function must end by 10 pm (Punjab Marriage Functions Act 2016 (Act XXIX of 2016)). Islamabad also allows one dish and halls close by 10 pm. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa allows a set menu at rukhsati, baraat and walima, drinks only at mehndi and nikah, and functions end by 11 pm. Sindh relies on notifications, not an Act.

Punjab

  • One dish only at a public place: one salan, one rice dish, one salad, hot and cold drinks, roti, naan and one sweet dish (s.2(d), s.4). This binds the host and also the hall owner, manager and caterer (s.5). A meal at home is not covered.
  • All functions end by 10:00 pm (s.6, the venue owner or manager must ensure it).
  • Up to 1 month’s simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs50,000 to Rs2,000,000 (s.8); tried summarily by a magistrate (s.9).

Islamabad

  • One dish in a club, hotel, restaurant, wedding hall, community centre or any other place: one salan, rice with roti, one sweet dish, with hot and cold soft drinks (s.4 as amended). A meal at home for family and house guests is exempt.
  • Halls close by 10:00 pm (district administration notifications; energy-saving timings kept by the federal Cabinet Division on 17 Sep 2026).
  • Up to 1 month’s imprisonment or a fine (s.6). The fine amounts are not legible in the official scan we read.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

  • At rukhsati, baraat and walima: one rice dish, one gravy (salan) dish, one dry dish, naan or roti, salad and a sweet dish (s.2(e)). At engagement, mehndi and nikah: drinks only (s.4(b)). Applies to private residences and farmhouses too (s.2(g)).
  • All functions end by 11:00 pm (s.6).
  • A fine of at least Rs200,000, or up to 3 months’ imprisonment, or both; demanding dowry: up to 2 months and a fine of at least Rs300,000, or both (s.7).

Sindh

  • A Sindh austerity notification in March 2026 said only a single dish shall be served and capped functions at 200 guests (Dawn). Whether it is still in force: not verified.
  • Sindh’s April 2026 notification allowed marriage halls and banquets to operate from 8 pm to 12 midnight (The News).
  • We could not reach the Sindh Code website to confirm there is no Act. Ask your hall what the current notification says.

Before you book

Rules and notifications change. Confirm the current rules with your district administration and your hall, and put the closing time on your card.

Full rules and sourcesBudget with the one-dish menu

Questions

What counts as one dish in Punjab?

One dish only at a public place: one salan, one rice dish, one salad, hot and cold drinks, roti, naan and one sweet dish (s.2(d), s.4). This binds the host and also the hall owner, manager and caterer (s.5). A meal at home is not covered.

Does the one dish law apply to a meal at home?

In Punjab the one-dish rule applies at public places, which include private property hired for the wedding; a meal at home is not covered. In Islamabad a meal at home for family and house guests is exempt. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the law also covers private residences and farmhouses.

What is the fine for breaking the one dish law in Punjab?

Up to 1 month’s simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs50,000 to Rs2,000,000 (s.8); tried summarily by a magistrate (s.9).

Sources