Wasiyyat (Bequest) in Pakistan: The One-Third Limit, Worked Out
A bequest can't go above one third of the estate after debts, or to an heir without consent. Three bequests on a Rs 1.2 crore estate.
By the TurantTools PK team · Updated 28 October 2026 · 3 min read
A bequest (wasiyyat) lets you leave part of your estate to someone who isn't your heir: a mosque, a madrasa, a relative's child or a charity. There's a limit: at most one third of what's left after debts and funeral costs.
A Rs 12,000,000 estate with Rs 2,000,000 of debts and costs
After debts and funeral costs Rs 10,000,000 is left, so a bequest can go up to Rs 3,333,333.
| Bequest written | Bequest paid | Left for the heirs | Cut to one third? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rs 1,000,000 | Rs 1,000,000 | Rs 9,000,000 | No |
| Rs 3,000,000 | Rs 3,000,000 | Rs 7,000,000 | No |
| Rs 5,000,000 | Rs 3,333,333 | Rs 6,666,667 | Yes |
The rules
- Order: funeral costs, then debts, then the bequest (up to one third), then the heirs' fixed shares.
- A bequest to an heir (such as a son or wife) doesn't stand without the other heirs' consent.
- A gift in your lifetime (hiba) isn't a bequest; for a hiba, possession must be handed over.
Simple steps to write one
- List your debts and property.
- Write clearly who the bequest is for and how much, and date it.
- Sign it in front of two witnesses and give a copy to someone you trust.