ANALYSING WELFARE OF CHILD THROUGH LAW: IMPACT OF KEY RULINGS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN IN SHAPING THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE OF CHILD MAINTENANCE

Abstract

With the rising rate of divorces among couples and the increasing number of custody litigations, the issue of child maintenance has gained vital importance, ensuring the welfare and proper coverage of a child’s essential expenses. This research paper examines the legal framework and jurisprudence of child maintenance in Pakistan through the lens of key Supreme Court rulings. It explores the obligations of parents in providing financial support to children; highlighting the father’s primary responsibility and the evolving recognition of the mother’s contributory role in exceptional circumstances. The analysis emphasizes the guiding principle of the child’s best interests in determining and adjusting maintenance amounts to meet children’s holistic needs. Issues of enforcing maintenance orders are addressed, along with the relationship between custody arrangements and financial support obligations. Through an in-depth review of landmark cases, the study illustrates the Supreme Court’s approach to securing adequate support for children, reflecting socio-economic realities and aiming for a balanced distribution of parental responsibilities. The findings underscore the necessity of ongoing legal reforms and improved implementation mechanisms to uphold children’s rights in Pakistan, especially focusing on child maintenance.