In a landmark ruling, the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) has declared the practice of Chaddar and Parchi, which denies women their right to inheritance, as un-Islamic and illegal. The ruling strengthens women's property rights in Pakistan and directs authorities to take action against violators.
A four-member full bench, led by Chief Justice Iqbal Hameed ur Rahman and including Justices Khadim M. Shaikh, Dr. Muhammad Anwar, and Ameer Muhammad, issued the ruling while disposing of a petition challenging the practice.
The petition was filed by Syeda Fouzia Jalal Shah, an Islamabad resident, who argued that the Chaddar and Parchi custom deprives women—especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)—of their rightful inheritance. She had made the federal and provincial governments, the President of Pakistan, the Ministry of Law & Justice, and women’s rights commissions respondents in her petition.
The petitioner contended that this practice forces women to either forfeit their inheritance entirely or accept a lesser share under social pressure or local jirga rulings. She also sought relief for her mother, Syeda Iftikhar Bibi, who was allegedly denied her inheritance due to this custom.
During the hearings, it was revealed that Chaddar and Parchi traditions were practiced in Bannu, though the KP government denied their prevalence or significance.
In its ruling, the court emphasised that any custom depriving women of their Quranic and legal inheritance rights is null and void. It stated:
“We declare any such custom or usage, whether known as ‘Chaddar’ or ‘Parchi’ or any other name, in Bannu or any part of Pakistan, as un-Islamic and illegal, having no legal force. Any practice that deprives women of their rightful inheritance granted by the Holy Quran and Sunnah is void and punishable.”
The court directed that violations should be dealt with under Section 498-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and called for awareness campaigns and strict enforcement of inheritance laws.
The judgment further stressed that protecting women's inheritance rights is part of the state's duty under the Enforcement of Shariah Act, 1991 (Act X of 1991).
This ruling is expected to set a strong precedent against discriminatory customs that have long denied women their fundamental rights in Pakistan.