The Federal Shariat Court has issued a landmark ruling, declaring that depriving women of their inheritance based on customs and traditions is un-Islamic.

According to the verdict, individuals who deny women their rightful inheritance will face criminal proceedings.

The ruling was delivered by a four-member bench led by Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman in response to a petition filed by Fauzia Jalal Shah.

The court emphasised that practices like “Chadar” and “Parchi”, which are used to deny women their inheritance rights, are against Islamic teachings.

Also, read this

Lahore High Court: Biological fathers must support children born out of rape or wedlock

Suspect arrested in alleged gang-rape of MPhil student in Lahore

LHC pushes for urgent action from WASA on water meter issues

It further stated that subjecting women to social pressure to forgo their inheritance is a violation of Islamic laws and the rights granted by the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

The court directed authorities to take action under Section 498 against those violating women’s inheritance rights. It also stressed the need for awareness campaigns and effective enforcement of laws to protect these rights.

During the proceedings, it was highlighted that in Bannu, the “Chadar” and “Parchi” customs are used to deprive women of their inheritance.

However, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government informed the court that such traditions have no legal standing or significance.

The ruling reiterated that denying women their inheritance was a practice from the pre-Islamic era of ignorance and had no place in an Islamic society.