# "Sisters don't take a share." The law disagrees. > Keeping a woman from her inheritance by deceit or illegal means is a crime in Pakistan. In Punjab there is also a faster route than a long civil suit. - Topic: Property and inheritance - For: Citizens - A 7-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/sisters-dont-take-a-share-the-law-disagrees - Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-10 ## Blocking her share is a crime. Depriving a woman of her inheritance by deceitful or illegal means is an offence in the Pakistan Penal Code. > "shall be punished with imprisonment for either description for a term which may extend to ten years but not be less than five years or with a fine of one million rupees or both." (Pakistan Penal Code · Section 498-A) ## In Punjab, a faster door. A woman kept from ownership or possession of her property can complain to the Ombudsperson, if no court case is pending on that property. - **Step 1: Complaint to the Ombudsperson** Section 4(1), Punjab Enforcement of Women's Property Rights Act 2021. - **Step 2: Deputy Commissioner enquires** Report due within 15 days. - **Step 3: Hearing and orders** Preferably within 60 days of the complaint. ## She does not have to go alone. Under the same Act the Ombudsperson can act on its own, or on a complaint by any person, including an NGO. - **Her brother, cousin or friend can file** Section 4(1) proviso. - **Movable property counts too** The Act covers movable and immovable property. ## What can be ordered. If she was illegally deprived, the Ombudsperson directs officials to act (Section 5). - **Possession or title restored** By the Deputy Commissioner, an official or a private person. - **Police help** The local police station can be directed to assist. - **Report in 7 days** The Deputy Commissioner must report compliance. ## Check your case. Free. Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it. - **My brothers sold our father's land without giving me my share. What can I do in Punjab?** - **Is it a crime to stop a sister from taking her inheritance?** ## What this does not mean - The Ombudsperson route is under the Punjab Enforcement of Women's Property Rights Act 2021, so it is for Punjab. - The Ombudsperson complaint is available only if no court case is pending on that property. - Section 498-A covers depriving a woman of her inheritance by deceitful or illegal means. ## Questions people ask ### Is it a crime to deny a sister her share in inheritance in Pakistan? Yes. Depriving a woman of her inheritance by deceitful or illegal means is an offence under s.498-A of the Pakistan Penal Code. ### What is the punishment for depriving a woman of inheritance? Imprisonment of not less than five years and up to ten years, or a fine of one million rupees, or both (s.498-A PPC). ### How can a sister get her share in property in Punjab? She can complain to the Ombudsperson under s.4(1) of the Punjab Enforcement of Women's Property Rights Act 2021, if no court case is pending on the property. The Deputy Commissioner enquires and reports within 15 days, and hearing and orders follow, preferably within 60 days of the complaint. ### Can a brother or an NGO file the complaint for a woman? Yes. The Ombudsperson can act on its own or on a complaint by any person, including an NGO (s.4(1) proviso). The Act covers movable and immovable property. ### What can the Ombudsperson order in a property share case? If she was illegally deprived, it can direct that possession or title be restored, direct the local police station to assist, and the Deputy Commissioner must report compliance within 7 days (s.5). ## Sources - Pakistan Penal Code · Section 498-A: Prohibition of depriving woman from inheriting property --- Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. FAI Media is part of FAI Legal (https://failegal.site), research on Pakistani statutes and judgments. Free to watch and read.