Drive against marriage lawns ruins several big days

KARACHI:

Losing the wedding venue on your big day could be the worst nightmare for anyone. Unfortunately for several such couples in Karachi, this nightmare came true with the government’s ongoing drive against illegal marriage halls.

“When we reached [the venue], they were breaking it right in front of us,” said Saleem Iqbal whose niece was supposed to have her mayun the same day. “It was five hours before the event and we were just standing there watching the lawn being demolished,” he recalled.

Iqbal’s family was lucky they managed to find another venue nearby that had not been destroyed and held the function there. “We had to call all the guests and tell them about the new venue,” he said. “Some people still ended up at the original, demolished site and called us in panic.”

The people who have weddings scheduled in the coming days are struggling to find a new venue at the last minute. “If they [government officials] can hold their weddings outside the door of the assembly, why can’t ordinary people get married in a small lawn in their neighbourhood,” Muhammad Asif pointed out. His sister was scheduled to get married on April 4 at Star Garden in Shah Faisal Town.

The owners of Star Garden insisted, however, their venue is legal. “I rented this lawn from the town nazim when Niamatullah Khan was the mayor,” said Star Garden owner Khwaja Azeemuddin, who also owns a shop of decoration supplies. “I have paid the rent for this lawn until December of this year and I know other owners who have done the same,” he added.

For the bookings made at the venue, Azeemuddin offered to help the people set up equipments as long as they find another venue for their function.

According to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s media management director Bashir Sadozai, a total of 17 marriage lawns have so far been demolished in Shah Faisal Colony, 15 in Korangi, seven each in Federal B Area and New Karachi, and one each in Aisha Manzil, Nazimabad, Gulberg and Liaquatabad.

The drive is the brainchild of local government minister Sharjeel Memon, who pointed out that nazims do not have the authority to give a no-objection certificate to set up a marriage lawn or allow the land to be rented out. “Nobody can change the status of any amenity plot according to the law,” said Memon. “Not even me.” Memon felt that the hall owners and the nazims who rented out these plots are equally guilty. “I have ordered an inquiry on these nazims and we will take strict action against those who misused their powers,” he said.

For the couples living their worst nightmares, the minister admitted he was sorry they were facing such troubles. “It is not their fault but the fault of the owners who booked the dates despite several warnings that that all illegal marriage lawns will be shut down within six months,” he said.

According to Memon, the warnings were made through press conferences and advertisements nearly three months ago. “The lawns were not razed abruptly as the owners claim,” he pointed out.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2015.