Punjab Government Tightens Noose Around Nikah Khawans and Registrars; Complete Ban on Taking “Mubarak” and Extra Fees

KHALIQ NAGAR (Daily Qudrat): The Punjab government, launching a major crackdown against Nikah Khawans and Union Council secretaries across the province, has imposed a complete ban on Nikah registrars and Nikah Khawans taking more than Rs200 as “Mubarak” or fees. In this regard, the Anti-Corruption Establishment has conducted raids in various cities of Punjab and begun legal proceedings.

According to sources, the government-fixed legal registration fee for the Nikah Nama across Punjab is only Rs200, and the concerned Union Council secretary is bound to collect this fee and issue a government receipt to the citizen. In case of not issuing a receipt, strict legal action will be taken against the concerned UC secretary.

Officials made clear that the collection of more than Rs200 will be counted in the category of dishonesty and bribery.

According to government orders, in mosques where imams are being given a monthly stipend of Rs25,000 by the Punjab government, the same mosque imam will perform the duties of Nikah Khawan and registrar and will collect only the government fee and issue a receipt. Moreover, the groom himself can also go to the Union Council secretary, pay the Rs200 fee and obtain a copy of the Nikah Nama and receipt.

The government has issued a warning that on a complaint of collecting more than the prescribed fee at the time of marriage, an immediate raid will be conducted through Anti-Corruption, and the involved secretary, Nikah registrar and Nikah Khawan will face serious cases.