Pakistan, June 17 -- The Lahore High Court has ruled that parents cannot waive a minor child's rights to maintenance and inheritance through private agreements, reinforcing strong legal protection for children. The court stated that such rights belong exclusively to the child and cannot be compromised in disputes between parents under any circumstances.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani issued the detailed judgment while hearing a petition that included an agreement between parents. Although the petitioner sought withdrawal of the case after settlement, the court reviewed the agreement and found that it directly affected the legal rights of a minor girl.

According to the judgment, the mother had agreed to waive the child's future maintenance...