I think the problem in this sort of discussion is that we recognize that a concept can be used for both good and evil. It's how you use it that matters. So lemme explain my personal opinion in a bit detail.
-First of all, obtaining dowry from the wife's family under pressure should be classified as extortion because, it is literally the slam dunk definition of extortion.
-Secondly,as a potential husband, I don't know about the guys here and I know how difficult the economic conditions are today and the state of unemployment etc. but taking things from the family of my better half, as a dude, is emasculating. I would much rather earn my way up the ladder then taking handouts under the name of "dowry".
-Thirdly, as a father, I would want my daughter to have comfort in her new home. Now the average marriage age of the husband and the wife as per wiki, is 21 in Pakistan. At 21, if your a good student, your in your 15th year of education, about to get in to your last academic year, where most of the students graduate and enter the job market. Now unless you have a family business, or your an entrepreneur etc. you won't be earning that much. As a father, I would have to see your character and potential to make a decision about giving you my daughter's hand in marriage and hope that everything goes well.
Bearing all those realities in mind, if I want to give my daughter some assets that are going to help her, as gifts ... then I would like to know the reasoning of the fellows that want to outright ban it. And these assets do not have to be cash or anything, it can be functional things such as a refrigerator, a washing machine, a microwave ... so that the lifestyle she is used to isn't as affected, when she gets married to a fellow who has just started or is about to start his career.