Supreme Court Rules Property Ownership Transfers Immediately to Heirs After Owner’s Death, Upholds Women’s Inheritance Rights

ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has delivered a landmark verdict on women’s inheritance rights, affirming that the right to inherit is a divine command and depriving women of their inheritance violates both the Constitution and Islamic teachings. The court clarified that property ownership automatically transfers to heirs immediately upon the death of the owner.

The written judgment, authored by Justice Athar Minallah before his resignation and released by a two-judge bench including Justice Irfan Saadat, spans seven pages. The court imposed a PKR 500,000 fine on petitioner Abid Hussain for delaying the transfer of inheritance rights and upheld the Sindh High Court’s decision dismissing his appeal.

The judgment stated that the fine must be deposited with the Registrar of the Supreme Court within seven days and will be distributed among the rightful heirs. Abid Hussain’s claim that the property was a gift was rejected.

The court emphasized that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure women receive their inheritance without delay, fear, or prolonged legal proceedings, and those who attempt to deprive heirs must be held accountable under the law.