In a significant development for workplace rights in Pakistan, Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar has ruled that fathers are legally entitled to paternity leave, marking a precedent-setting decision under the country’s workplace harassment framework.
The case was brought forward by Basit Ali, a bank officer whose request for 30 days of paternity leave was denied by the State Bank of Pakistan. After reviewing the complaint, the Ombudsperson concluded that the refusal constituted gender-based harassment and discrimination, as it reinforced outdated assumptions that childcare responsibilities rest solely with women.
As part of the ruling, the State Bank of Pakistan was fined Rs500,000. Of this amount, Rs400,000 is to be paid to the complainant as compensation, while Rs100,000 will be deposited into the national treasury. The central bank has also been directed to grant Basit Ali the requested leave with full salary adjustment.
In addition, the Ombudsperson instructed the State Bank to formulate and implement a formal maternity and paternity leave policy in compliance with the 2023 workplace harassment legislation. The decision underscores the principle of shared parental responsibility and strengthens the legal recognition of fathers’ rights in child care, setting an important benchmark for public and private sector employers across Pakistan.
