Widow recovers late husband’s unlawfully seized assets in Islamabad

Enforcing Women’s Property Rights Act 2020, federal ombudsperson retrieves Mehwish's property from in-laws

After her husband Mehmood’s death two years ago, Mehwish Tahir was deprived of rental income, with her husband’s cousin, Owais Butt, unlawfully seizing her property.

She received rent for a year and a half, but once Butt took possession of Mehmood’s assets, he began collecting rent, and threatened Mehwish with dire consequences when she demanded her rights. However, with the help of the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women (FOSPAH) Fauzia Viqar, she was able to regain control of the property.

In her complaint to the Ombudsperson, Mehwish said that Butt also took 7.5 tolas worth gold ornaments and bangles the day Mehmood passed away. Further, she alleged, Butt filed a civil suit for a permanent injunction against Mehwish while making improper demands for an illicit relationship.

At the preliminary hearing, Mehwish said she did not know the exact location of the properties – only the street and sector. She had never visited the property. 

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Enforcing Women’s Property Rights Act 2020, the Federal Ombudsperson directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority to locate the property and prepare detailed reports on the assets in question.

When Butt evaded hearings, a bailable arrest warrant was issued and the relevant authorities were instructed to produce him for the proceedings. 

The matter was eventually adjourned after Mehwish and Butt reached a compromise with her regaining ownership of her properties. Both the parties agreed to unconditionally withdraw their cases against each other. 

The recovered assets include a shop, a house, and two quarters in Sector G-12.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ombudsperson Viqar emphasised that many women – particularly widows – lack information regarding their inheritance or property rights.

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She noted that women lack information about the location or details of their properties, which hinders their ability to exercise their ownership rights. “FOSPAH will ensure that no woman is deprived of her rightful share for lack of information or resources."

“When Mehwish approached FOSPAH, she was a widow with three young children, being denied both her property and its income,” she said. "Our legal team guided her through every step, coordinated with CDA and the Housing Authority to trace the properties, and ensured that she received her rightful share."

"This is precisely what FOSPAH is mandated to do: to assist women who come forward without information or resources but deserve full protection of their rights under the law through expeditious and free-of-cost disposal," stressed the Ombudsperson. 

She highlighted the need for property records to be digitised, and for state institutions such as the CDA and NADRA to develop mechanisms through which women can easily access information about their properties, and independently claim their rights. 

In a video statement, Mehwish thanked FOSPAH for helping her resolve her case free of charge within a matter of months, saying she did not have to even get a lawyer but was guided through every aspect of the case.