The Lahore High Court rejected a constitutional petition filed by a father seeking custody of his children. Justice Shireen Imran ruled that the welfare of the children must take precedence over the preferential rights of either parent.
The judge upheld a previous order requiring the father to provide Rs35,000 per month for each child. A 10 percent annual increase in child support was also mandated by the court.
Financial hardship or unemployment do not exempt a parent from the responsibility of covering children's expenses. Judges must evaluate a child's age, education, care, and personal wishes when deciding custody matters.
Both children currently reside with their mother and attend a private school. The children informed the court that they preferred to remain in their mother's care.
The father failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify moving the children from their mother's home. The court based its decision on Section 17 of the Guardians and Wards Act.
The Lahore High Court maintained the current visitation schedule for the children.
