NLD organizes awareness session on Succession Act 1925 at China Window Peshawar

PESHAWAR, Aug 10 (APP):The National Lobbying Delegation for Minority Rights (NLD) successfully convened a historic Orientation and Awareness Session on “The Succession Act 1925” at the China Window, Pak-China Cultural Center, Peshawar.

The event marks the first structured legal awareness initiative in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa specifically focused on the inheritance and property rights of the Christian community, particularly women.

Held at China Window, a symbol of peace, cultural diplomacy and Pak-China friendship that has welcomed over 500,000 national and international visitors, the session underscores NLD’s commitment to positioning minority rights within the broader framework of constitutional guarantees, social harmony, and rule of law in Pakistan.

The Succession Act 1925 governs inheritance matters for Christians in Pakistan. However, lack of legal literacy, procedural complexities, and social barriers often result in the denial of rightful claims, especially for widows and daughters.

The session was delivered by Adv. Muddassar Iqbal, a leading legal expert on minority and family law, and facilitated by Haroon Sarab Diyal, Focal Person, National Lobbying Delegation for Minority Rights – NLD.

Key provisions of the Succession Act 1925 including procedural guidance, Testamentary Rights,  Protection Mechanisms like Judicial remedies and safeguards for Christian widows, daughters and vulnerable family members against unlawful dispossession were discussed in the session.

The session was attended by senior representatives from government, judiciary, faith institutions and civil society, including: Wazir Zada, Focal Person to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bishop Shakil Charagh, Rev. Father Amir Khan, Church of Pakistan, Rev. Tariq Javed, Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, Pastors Bisharat Waris, Kashif Bisharat and Shuaib, Ms. Huma Murad, Public Prosecutor,  Adv. Sumbal Christopher, Adv. Mishal Murad, Adv. Sara Bisharat, Habkook Rafiq Gill, NLD Punjab, Sheezan William, NLD Balochistan, Chandan Lal Malhi, NLD Sindh and Shehzad Frances NLD.

At conclusion, participants unanimously adopted resolutions including launching of province-wide legal awareness campaigns in Urdu, Pashto and English, establishing Legal Facilitation Desks in major cities of KP to assist with documentation, provide pro-bono legal aid for deserving widows and orphans, engage with the provincial government for policy reforms and procedural simplification in the Succession Act 1925, mobilize clergy, lawyers and civil society as awareness ambassadors within congregations.

Addressing the participants, Haroon Sarab Diyal, Focal Person NLD, stated that choosing China Window for this dialogue sends a powerful message that Pakistan’s minorities are equal stakeholders in our nation’s progress.

Legal empowerment is not a privilege, it is a constitutional right. NLD will continue to work with the government, judiciary and community institutions to ensure that no Christian widow or daughter is deprived of her lawful inheritance due to lack of awareness or access to justice.