Federal Government Fixes Diyat Amount under Section 323 PPC

The Federal Government of Pakistan has officially notified the amount of Diyat (blood money) for the current year under Section 323 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The newly fixed amount is Rs. 9,828,670 (Nine million, eight hundred twenty-eight thousand, six hundred seventy rupees). This value is equivalent to 30,630 grams of silver and will serve as the standard compensation in cases where Diyat is applicable.

What is Diyat?

Diyat is a form of financial compensation prescribed in Islamic law (Shariah) for the heirs of a victim in cases of qatl (murder) or jurh (bodily harm). It is an alternative to Qisas (retribution in kind) and reflects the principles of justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation in Islamic criminal jurisprudence.

The concept of Diyat originates from the Quran and Sunnah. The Holy Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:178), prescribes Diyat as a means of settling cases of unlawful killing:

“But if the killer is forgiven by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude.”

This highlights that the heirs of the victim may forgive the offender in return for financial compensation, promoting peace and preventing cycles of revenge.

Diyat in Pakistan’s Legal System

In Pakistan, Diyat was formally incorporated into the criminal justice system through the Qisas and Diyat Ordinances of 1990, later becoming part of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Sections 323–337 PPC deal with the rules, procedures, and amounts related to Qisas and Diyat.

Key points include:

• Section 323 PPC defines the basis for calculating the value of Diyat, which is tied to the prevailing price of silver.

• The amount is revised annually by the federal government to reflect changes in market rates.

• Payment of Diyat is mandatory where ordered by a court, and the amount goes directly to the legal heirs of the victim.

Why is the Diyat Amount Linked to Silver?

Traditionally, in Islamic jurisprudence, Diyat was calculated in terms of gold, silver, camels, cows, or sheep, depending on the customs of the time. To standardize the system in modern states, Pakistan has adopted silver as the benchmark for calculating the amount. This ensures consistency, objectivity, and fairness across cases.

Practical Implications of Fixing the Amount

By fixing the Diyat amount at over 9.82 million rupees, the government ensures that:

• Courts and lawyers have a clear guideline in cases of homicide or bodily injury.

• The amount remains consistent with economic realities, preventing outdated valuations.

• The heirs of victims receive fair compensation, aligned with Islamic and constitutional principles of justice.

Conclusion

The fixation of Diyat at Rs. 9,828,670 for the year is not only a legal requirement under Section 323 PPC but also a step toward ensuring justice through financial compensation as per Islamic law. It reflects the balance between divine injunctions, social harmony, and economic realities in Pakistan’s legal framework.