LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday handed three young children over to their mother after they had been living with their father, while directing both parties to approach the guardian court for a decision on permanent custody.

Justice Sadiq Mahmood Khurram heard a petition filed by Nida Mahmood, who had approached the high court seeking recovery and custody of three children in the care of her husband, Farhan Saleem. Advocate Faiza Naseer Chaudhry appeared for the petitioner.

Asked how long the children had been with their father, counsel replied that they had moved between both parents over time. The judge then inquired whether the father had already approached the guardian court, observing that a guardian petition had been on file since 2025.

Counsel told the court she had filed a habeas corpus application before the sessions court, which was heard on 5 July 2026, and that the husband had informed that court on the same date about his pending guardian petition.

When told all three children were under seven years old, Justice Khurram remarked that children of that age should ordinarily remain with the mother, adding that a mother is generally better placed to raise them while the father is out of the home for work.

The children were produced in court and handed to their mother. One child cried and screamed to go with the father. The court clarified that permanent custody and guardianship fall within the guardian court’s jurisdiction, and disposed of the petition.