THIS is with reference to the article ‘Victory for women’ (April 5). The recent ruling by the Supreme Court affirmed that daughters retain their entitlement to benefits and legal rights under the ‘deceased employee’ quota even after marriage.

This is undoubtedly a progressive and commendable decision. It reinforces the principles of gender equality and ensures that women are not deprived of their rightful claims solely due to their marital status.

However, there is a practical hurdle in the way of effective implementation of the verdict in its true spirit. The government has already discontinued the ‘deceased employee’ quota altogether a few months ago. As a consequence, the verdict, though well-intentioned, risks becoming symbolic rather than substantive, as there remains no functional framework to implement it. To give true meaning to the decision, the Supreme Court must consider going a step further and directing the government to reinstate the quota.

Then, and only then, will the judiciary’s stance translate into tangible benefits for the affected families, upholding justice and social welfare in practice.

Agha Zeeshan
Larkana

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2025