Inheritance law in Pakistan determines how property is transferred after death, and Article 23 of the 1973 Constitution guarantees citizens the right to own property. Despite this, women often struggle to assert their inheritance rights.
To address this, the government has introduced initiatives to educate and support women in inheritance matters. The National Commission on the Status of Women, supported by the UNDP, highlighted that inheritance laws have historically been patriarchal, evolving from old customs where wealth and people were buried with the deceased.
Islamic inheritance jurisprudence, as outlined in Surah An-Nisa of the Quran, mandates that blood relatives have the right to inherit. While Pakistan’s laws, including the West Pakistan Muslim Personal Law and the Muslim Family Law Ordinance, protect heirs’ rights, there is no specific constitutional law that prevents the denial of inheritance rights to women. Section 498-A of the Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act of 2011 criminalizes the illegal denial of inheritance, with penalties including imprisonment and fines.
Pakistan has ratified international conventions like CEDAW, promoting gender equality, but societal practices often undermine these rights. A 2017 survey revealed that 80% of women did not receive their legal share of inheritance, with the highest denial rates in Balochistan.
The Ministry of Human Rights launched an awareness campaign in 2018 to educate citizens on women’s inheritance rights according to Islamic law and the Constitution. The campaign has led to increased inquiries about inheritance rights and the establishment of a helpline for women to seek legal assistance. Despite government efforts, the actual number of women claiming their inheritance remains low.