The Supreme Court, led by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, declared that fathers are obligated to provide maintenance for their children under both Shariah and civil law, extending this responsibility to cover educational expenses. The ruling came in response to a divorce case where, after the divorce, a woman sought maintenance for her six-month-old daughter. The family court initially ordered Rs1,000 per month, later increased to Rs25,000 in 2021. The father contested, citing financial constraints with a monthly pension of Rs.60,000 and other familial responsibilities. The judgment affirmed that maintenance encompasses education, and the petitioner must fund the daughter’s education until graduation and employment, noting the petitioner’s alternative income sources.
