Divergent Interpretations of Section 4 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 by the Superior Judiciary of Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52541/isiri.v64i1.3393Keywords:
orphaned grandchildren, inheritance rights, superior courts, Pakistan, interpretation, section 4, share.Abstract
Representational succession under Section 4 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 was introduced to reduce the economic sufferings of orphaned grandchildren. The superior courts of Pakistan have interpreted it divergently, showing confusion about the law on the part of the legislature and judiciary. This article analyses different interpretations of Section 4 by the superior judiciary. It shows that courts initially interpreted Section 4 on technical grounds and declined to grant any share to orphaned grandchildren. Later, courts interpreted it literally and awarded the entire share of a deceased child to his orphaned children. In other instances, courts presented a restricted interpretation. The binary interpretation of Section 4 has worsened the matter and further puzzled the distribution of shares to grandchildren. Therefore, the judiciary needs to develop a consistent approach in constructing and applying Section 4 for clarity in the distribution of shares to grandchildren.
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