How to Claim Monthly Child Maintenance and Education Expenses in Pakistan?

A father has an **absolute, non-delegable legal duty** to maintain his minor children under Pakistani law (Section 9 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961). If he refuses to pay, you can easily file a suit for maintenance: 1. **Filing the Case:** You can file a suit for maintenance on behalf of the minor children in the local Family Court. No court fee is required for filing child maintenance suits. 2. **What You Can Claim:** You are entitled to claim: * Food and clothing allowance. * Monthly school fees, books, and educational expenses. * Medical expenses. * A portion of house rent/accommodation costs. 3. **Interim Maintenance:** At the very beginning of the case, the Family Court Judge will pass an **Interim Maintenance Order** directing the father to pay a fixed monthly amount while the trial is ongoing. 4. **Enforcement for Non-Compliance:** If the father refuses to pay the court-ordered maintenance, the court has strong powers: * It can freeze his bank accounts. * It can deduct the amount directly from his salary (if he is employed). * It can order the attachment of his property. * It can issue arrest warrants and send him to prison for civil default.