The legislative assembly of Pakistan has enacted several measures designed to give women more power in the areas of family, inheritance, revenue, civil, and criminal laws.
Constitutionally, Pakistani Muslim women are able to vote, participate in elections, hold public offices and pursue most professions.
Under British rule, the Married Women's Property Act (1874) was in force, which primarily defined issues related to pre- and post-marriage assets, liability and insurance.
[7][8] Until 1987, the British Evidence Act of 1872 remained applicable in Pakistan—which otherwise lacked laws targeting gender discrimination in the legal system.
Further, in cases involving financial or other future obligations, written instructions and documents must be attested to by either two men or one man and two women.