How to adopt a child in Pakistan?

Answer:

Thank you for contacting Pak-Lawyer Associates regarding the procedure for adopting a child in Pakistan, particularly through the Child Protection & Welfare Bureau, Lahore.

First of all, please note that Pak-Lawyer Associates is not an adoption agency, orphanage, child placement centre, or organisation that provides children for adoption. We do not hand over children and we do not arrange private adoption. Our legal role is limited to assisting clients in adopting the lawful procedure, including preparation of application, documentation, affidavits, filing before the competent forum, and legal representation before the Child Protection Court / Child Protection & Welfare Bureau, Lahore.

In Pakistan, adoption is generally processed through legal custody / guardianship procedures under enabling laws such as the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 and provincial child protection laws. PakLawyer also explains that a child may be adopted legally through the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau, and that destitute or neglected children can only be handed over through the proper official procedure before the competent Presiding Officer / Court. (Family Lawyer & Law Firm in Lahore)

Brief Legal Procedure:

1. Preparation of application:
   The applicant has to prepare an application for custody / adoption and submit it before the Presiding Officer, Child Protection Court, Lahore, along with the required documents. PakLawyer’s procedure also states that the application should mention the applicant’s preference, such as age or gender of the child, along with the complete profile of the proposed adoptive parents. (Family Lawyer & Law Firm in Lahore)
2. Submission of documents:
   Commonly required documents include CNIC / NICOP / POC, passport where applicable, marriage certificate / Nikah Nama, photographs, Family Registration Certificate, salary or income proof, bank statement, property documents, educational documents, medical report where required, police character certificate, and affidavits regarding financial capacity, character, and proper upbringing of the child. PakLawyer’s published document list for the Child Protection Court, Lahore, also includes attested documents and affidavits.
3. Socio-economic report:
   After submission, a Child Protection Officer may prepare a socio-economic report regarding the applicant family to assess their financial, social, moral, and family circumstances.
4. Scrutiny and interview:
   The application is scrutinized by the Bureau’s committee, and the applicant family may be called for an interview. The purpose is to determine whether the applicants are suitable and whether handing over custody would be in the best interest and welfare of the child.
5. Suitability report and court order:
   After scrutiny, the suitability report is placed before the Child Protection Court. If the Court is satisfied, it may pass an order entrusting custody of the child to the applicant family. (Family Lawyer & Law Firm in Lahore)
6. Post-custody compliance:
   After custody is granted, the applicants may be required to comply with further court directions, including financial security or savings arrangement in the child’s name, where ordered by the Court. PakLawyer’s guidance mentions investment / saving certificate requirements after custody handover, subject to court permission.

It is also important to understand that a child cannot lawfully be obtained from unauthorized persons or unapproved centres. PakLawyer clearly cautions that only the Child Protection Bureau in each province is allowed to hand over custody of children to adoptive parents after the legal procedure.

Therefore, the proper course is to apply through the Child Protection & Welfare Bureau / Child Protection Court, Lahore, and complete the legal custody / guardianship process. Pak-Lawyer Associates may assist only as legal counsel for preparing and filing the case, completing documents, and representing the client before the competent legal forum.

Please note that the applicant party must understand that the adoption / custody process through the Child Protection & Welfare Bureau, Lahore may take approximately 6 to 10 months due to the heavy rush of applicants, official scrutiny, interviews, socio-economic reports, and completion of court formalities. Therefore, patience and full cooperation with the legal and official process are required.