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ISLAMABAD, Feb 02 (APP):The Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan has dismissed an appeal filed by M/s Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited against the payment of an insurance claim, upholding the judgments of the Islamabad High Court and the Federal Insurance Ombudsman that directed the company to pay Rs3.85 million to the nominee of a deceased policyholder.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha announced the verdict after hearing FCPLA No. 275 of 2025. The court ruled that there was no legal or constitutional defect in the Islamabad High Court’s decision warranting interference.
According to the court record, the late Muhammad Waqas Anjum had obtained a takaful plan from M/s Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited on March 5, 2019, under which a death cover of Rs3.85 million was provided. However, he passed away on May 8, 2019, only a few days after the issuance of the policy.
He had nominated his sister, Arisha Kanwal, as the beneficiary, who subsequently filed the claim.
The takaful company rejected the claim on various grounds, including objections to the nominee’s familial relationship, non-provision of medical records, and allegations that the deceased was a drug addict. However, on June 6, 2022, the Federal Insurance Ombudsman allowed the complaint, observing that no solid or credible evidence had been produced to justify the rejection of the claim.
The Ombudsman not only ordered payment of the claim but also directed the company to pay compensation for unnecessary delay, while referring the matter to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for regulatory action.
Subsequently, the review petition and presidential representation filed by the takaful company were also rejected. A writ petition filed thereafter before the Islamabad High Court was dismissed, with the court deciding in favour of the nominee.
In its judgment, the Federal Constitutional Court observed that the death of the policyholder, issuance of the policy, and the status of the nominee were undisputed. The court held that a takaful claim could not be rejected merely on the basis of delayed intimation or unsubstantiated allegations, particularly when no misrepresentation regarding the deceased’s health had been proven.
On these grounds, the court refused leave to appeal and dismissed the petition. The judgment was announced in Islamabad on January 26, 2026.