Parents cannot waive or reduce minors’ maintenance by mutual consent: LHC

In a landmark judgment, the Lahore High Court has held that parents cannot lower or waive the support of minor children even with mutual consent, and said that child maintenance is a legal entitlement that cannot be compromised by parents or guardians.

Justice Usman Ghani Rashid Cheema who heard petition moved by Shazia Noreen remanded the matter to Family Court. The court held that parents or guardians cannot cut or terminate the maintenance payable to underage children.

The court called upon the Family Court to decide the maintenance after looking into the financial status of the children’s father and other relevant criteria.

The combined monthly support for a minor girl and her brother was determined at Rs60,000 in January 2026, the verdict said. But the children’s mother had promised in an affidavit to lower upkeep and drop other requests.

The youngsters appealed to the Sessions Judge, Sargodha, but their plea was dismissed. The Lahore High Court observed that it is up to the court to decide if any arrangement between the parents is in the best interest of the minor children and whether it curtails their rights.

The court said that judges must be mindful and vigilant to preserve the rights of minor children, noting that “minor children are not our tomorrow, but our today.”