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Any Practice, under any name, that denies Women their Quranic Right to Inheritance is Contrary to Islamic Injunctions and Pakistan’s Legal Framework --- Federal Shariat Court

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Any Practice, under any name, that denies Women their Quranic Right to Inheritance is Contrary to Islamic Injunctions and Pakistan’s Legal Framework --- Federal Shariat Court

Islamabad 22-03-2025: In a landmark ruling, the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) of Pakistan has declared the customary practices of “Chaddar” and “Parchi” which deprive women of their rightful inheritance as un-Islamic, illegal, and void. The Court ruled that any practice, under any name, that denies women their Quranic right to inheritance is contrary to Islamic injunctions and Pakistan’s legal framework.

The case, [Shariat Petition No. 10/I of 2023], was filed under Article 203-D of the Constitution, challenging the practice allegedly prevalent in District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where women are denied inheritance rights through Jirga decisions or societal pressure. The petitioner also sought relief for her mother, who was allegedly deprived of her inheritance.

The Court partially accepted the petition, rejecting the personal relief claim but upholding the broader issue of inheritance denial. It ruled that the right to inheritance is protected under Islamic law (Surah Nisa) and Pakistan’s legal system and directed authorities to enforce Section 498-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against offenders. The Sindh Government was urged to introduce similar laws as those in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to protect women’s property rights.