Ban on serving meals at wedding ceremonies is not only un-Islamic but also hitting hard to the country's economy; therefore, the government must lift this ban, as it would give much-required boost to the economic activities apart from checking the rate of unemployment.
This was the consensus developed at a seminar on "Effect of Wedding Food Ban on Economy" organised by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Tuesday. LCCI President Mian Shafqat Ali, Principal Hailey College of Banking and Finance, Professor Dr Khawaja Amjad Saeed, religious scholar Dr Javed Chaudhry, President Marriage Halls Association Mian Mohammad Ilyas, President Poultry Association Raza Khurshand, senior journalist Mansoor Ahmad and LCCI Senior Vice President Abdul Basit also spoke on the occasion.
Mian Shafqat urged the government to review its decision regarding ban on wedding meals, as laws are always made to benefit the masses but on this particular issue, the situation is totally otherwise, as ban has rendered a large number of people jobless.
He said that poultry has a role in the overall economy of the country but due to ban, no new investment is coming in this sector, which is a bad omen for the economic well being of the country. He hoped that the government would give a sympathetic consideration to the proposals being raised by the participants of the seminar and allow at least one-dish at weddings.
Khawaja Amjad Saeed highlighted the effects of the ban on wedding meals in economic terms. He said that being an agro-based country, the government should not take such decision, which is against the small farmers.
Dr Javed Chaudhry threw light on the issue while quoting the Quranic verses. He was of the view that ban on wedding meals is un-Islamic.
Mian Mohammad Ilyas said that ban on wedding meals is unjustified step; hence, the government should review this decision. He said that this ban is widening the gap between the poor and the rich.
Raza Khurshand said that keeping in view the crisis facing the poultry industry, the government should not only allow meals at weddings but should also announce a package of incentives for this industry which is fast losing ground. He said that the World Health Organisation has reconfirmed that when the poultry products are safely handled and properly cooked, humans are not at risk of acquiring H5N1 infection through food.
Mansoor Ahmad said that the ban is not only hurting our cultural values but also causing unemployment amongst a large number of people attached with catering and other allied industries. He said that numerous industries were linked with marriage festivities like catering, tailoring, shoe, jewellery, clothes etc.
LCCI Senior Vice President Abdul Basit said that despite the fact the ban on wedding food is un-Islamic; it is putting negative impact on the economy of the country. He said that the ban is pushing the country to the wall. He said that wedding meals Ordinance has put Rs 450 billion out of circulation and once the ban is lifted it would give boost to economic activities in the country.
Comments
Comments are closed.