Punjab Proposes Major Changes to Christian Inheritance Laws

The Punjab Assembly has received a private member's bill aimed at overhauling inheritance laws for Christians in the region. Philbos Christopher, chairman of the Punjab Assembly's Standing Committee on Minority Affairs, introduced the Punjab Christian Succession Bill 2026. The proposed legislation seeks to replace a century-old legal framework with one specifically tailored for the Christian community, which currently follows laws applicable to Jains, Parsis, and Buddhists.

The existing law dates back to 1925 and applies to all three groups. Christopher argued that a distinct framework is necessary to address Christians' unique inheritance requirements. Under the new law, a Christian's estate would be equally divided among their children, with legally adopted children receiving the same rights as biological offspring.

The bill also stipulates that children from different marriages, including step-siblings, would share property equally in cases of remarriage. If a person dies intestate, their widow would receive one-third of the estate, while the remainder would be distributed among eligible heirs. Should the deceased have no children or other recognized relatives, the widow would inherit half of the property.

The bill extends these equal inheritance rights to the surviving spouse in the event of a widow's death. Furthermore, the legislation outlines how children would inherit equal shares of the estate, with the descendants of any deceased child inheriting their parent's share. The proposed legislation also addresses the process of creating and validating wills, prohibiting wills obtained through fraud, coercion, or undue influence.

Simplification of succession certificates and letters of administration is another key aspect, with applicants able to approach NADRA or a competent civil court. Christopher stated that the bill could benefit approximately 2.5 million Christians living in Punjab by bolstering their inheritance rights, aligning with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision for minority rights protection.

Currently, as a private member's bill, it is expected to be formally introduced in the Punjab Assembly during the next session before being referred to a committee for further examination.