False promises: Marriage bureaus cheating gullible customers

Charge up to Rs5,000 for local, Rs10,000 for inter-city, Rs30,000 for overseas matches.

ISLAMABAD:

The majority of marriage bureaus in the twin cities are reportedly using unfair tactics to extract money from people who are facing problems in finding suitable matches for their children due to financial and social constraints.

Residents have demanded that the government take stern action against such marriage bureaus. Ayesha Qasim, a mother, said people are being cheated in the name of social service.

“I have paid a lot of money to these so called marriage bureaus, but till today, I have never received any response from them. They would always tell you that these matters take time,” she added.

Another resident, Asim Qureshi said that the bureaus approach potential customers with attractive ads in different newspapers. They send you registration forms, take large amounts of money but never follow up, he added.

“They don’t even bother to answer your phone calls after they have received the money,” he said.

The marriage bureaus that operate in Islamabad charge around Rs3,000 to Rs5,000 for local, Rs5,000 to Rs10,000 for inter-city and Rs20,000 to Rs30,000 overseas matches.

“Mostly middle class or overseas Pakistanis contact marriage bureaus and these people inevitably become targets for fraud, lamented a victim.

“I paid a Rs5,000 registration fee to a marriage bureau which promised to find an excellent match for my daughter. After taking the money, they refused to recognise me, which I thought was quite unfair, alleged Mukhtar.

She said the fees were non-refundable. “Does it really cost Rs10,000 or some ridiculous amount to make some telephone calls? We all know local call rates very well,” she added.

A matchmaker requesting anonymity said she charges her customers in accordance with their financial status. She added that boys in particular come to her bureau seeking girls who resemble Hollywood stars and models.

The bureaus are owned and run by sole proprietors and are not officially registered by the government.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2013.