Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi on Thursday observed that cases related to financial compensation in domestic disputes, particularly those concerning family matters should not be brought before the Supreme Court.
The remarks came during the hearing of a petition challenging a lower court’s decision regarding monthly maintenance for a minor child.
A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Afridi and comprising Justice Shakeel Ahmed dismissed the appeal terming the fixed amount of Rs25,000 per month as appropriate and justifiable.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the amount was excessive for a young child. However, Justice Shakeel Ahmed retorted that “this is your own child, so Rs25,000 is not too much.”
Chief Justice Afridi noted that such matters should be settled at the level of the family courts and the higher judiciary should not be burdened with appeals arising from routine financial determinations in domestic cases. “Once the lower court decides the amount, the matter should end there,” he remarked.
The court underscored the need to avoid unnecessary litigation in higher courts over issues that fall squarely within the jurisdiction of lower forums, particularly family courts, which are better positioned to address such disputes in a timely manner.
Earlier, Chief Justice Afridi had also emphasised that directives to dispose of cases within a four-month period must not lead to any miscarriage of justice.
