Islamabad, Nov 7. (PTI): With the Jammu and Kashmir government restricting the number of dishes and guests at wedding parties, Pakistan also does not seem to be lagging behind with the Supreme Court banning serving of meals during marriage ceremonies at hotels and limiting it to soft drinks.

A three-member bench of the apex court yesterday not only dismissed a petition to lift the ban, imposed by the Nawaz Sharif government on serving of lavish meals during marriage parties but also went a step ahead by ordering that only hot and cold soft drinks should be served.

The court said no person owning or running a hotel, restaurant, wedding hall, community centre, club or any caterer shall serve or allow anyone to serve any meals or edibles to persons participating in the ceremony, other than hot and cold soft drinks.

The court, however, permitted hosting marriage parties within the precincts of the residences of the hosts.