Truck driver and father of seven, Mureed Hussain, was planning his daughter’s wedding in October when flood waters inundated his home, taking away the entire back wall and with it her hard-earned dowry.

“I spent almost three years collecting her dowry,” Hussain told AFP from the courtyard of his four-bedroom house he shares with his brother’s family.

“I would take care of the house and also spend a little on her dowry.”

Record-high monsoon rains have caused devastating floods across Pakistan since June, killing more than 1,200 people and submerging nearly a third of the country, affecting the lives of 33 million people.

Hardest hit are the poor in rural parts of the country, who see their homes, belongings, savings and crops washed away.

Hussain’s village in Punjab province was badly hit as floodwaters destroyed or damaged numerous buildings.

Also washed away are marriage plans for Hussain’s daughter Nousheen.

Each month, Hussain set aside a few thousand rupees for her dowry from the 17,000 rupees ($80) salary he earns as a truck driver.

It is common for families in patriarchal Pakistan to pay extravagant dowries when a daughter is married.

In many areas, parents are expected to save for their daughters’ dowries from the day of birth.

Although officially forbidden by law, demanding a large dowry is still practiced by many.

Grooms’ families often present the parents of their future daughter-in-law with an extensive list of demands – including furniture, household effects and clothing.

In the case of wealthy families, it can even be cars and houses.

It is considered shameful not to provide the goods and the bride-to-be is often mistreated by her in-laws if a decent dowry is not provided.

“I wanted to marry my other two daughters after her and one remaining son,” Hussain said.

“I thought I’d make it little by little.”

When the floods reached his home, Hussain fled with his wife and family to a nearby high-rise train station.

Two days ago, as the water receded, Hussain trudged through mud and returned home with his wife and daughters.

“They started crying when they saw the damage,” he said.

His wife Sughra Bibi broke down in tears again as she recalled her shock at the condition of the house – and her daughter’s dowry.

Over the years, Sughra had bought a bespoke bed set and dressing table, as well as a juicer, washing machine, iron, bed sheets and quilts.

Everything was badly damaged by the flood.

“It’s blacked out, so anyone who sees it will say we gave her old stuff,” Sughra said.

After the wedding was called off, Nousheen puts on a brave face.

“It was going to be a happy time for my family and I was very excited,” the 25-year-old told AFP.

“I saw how difficult it was for my parents to get this dowry together for me.

“This is such a big problem for us now,” Father Hussain said.

“Shall we rebuild our homes, sow wheat, or marry our children? All three things are so important to us.”