Understanding Employee Leave Policies in Pakistan: An HR Perspective

Navigating Pakistan's employment regulations requires a clear understanding of statutory leave entitlements. As an international HR professional, I've observed how proper leave management contributes to workforce stability and compliance. Here's a comprehensive overview of Pakistan's leave framework.

Annual Leave Entitlements

After completing twelve consecutive months with the same employer, workers become eligible for a minimum of fourteen days of paid annual leave. However, certain circumstances may affect this entitlement:

Absences due to sickness, personal leave, or approved vacations exceeding ninety days
Unauthorized leave periods
Participation in unlawful strikes
Employment termination before leave application
Cumulative involuntary unemployment intervals surpassing thirty days

Unused annual leave can be carried forward, though the maximum accumulation cannot exceed fourteen days. Employees may receive monetary compensation for unused leave during employment or upon termination if the employer denies leave approval.

Medical and Casual Leave Provisions

Employees typically receive sixteen days of half-pay sick leave annually, with extended medical absences requiring physician certification and employer approval. Additionally, workers enjoy ten days of paid casual leave each year for personal matters.

Parental Leave Regulations

Pakistan's 2023 Maternity and Paternity Leave Act represents significant progress in workplace equality. Female employees receive fully paid maternity leave ranging from 180 days for first births to 90 days for third births. Employers must note that paid maternity leave is limited to three instances per employee's tenure.

Male employees benefit from up to thirty days of paid paternity leave, also capped at three instances during their employment. Non-compliant employers face potential six-month imprisonment and/or PKR 100,000 fines.

Special Leave Categories

Pakistan recognizes religious obligations through two-month Hajj leave for pilgrimage participation. The national calendar includes approximately twenty public holidays blending Islamic observances with national celebrations.

For multinational companies managing Pakistani teams, SailGlobal provides specialized support in navigating these complex regulations while ensuring compliance and cultural sensitivity.

2025 Public Holiday Schedule

Holiday	Date
New Year's Day	January 1
Kashmir Day	February 5
Pakistan Day	March 23
Eid-ul-Fitr	March 30 - April 1*
Easter Sunday	April 21
Labour Day	May 1
Youm-e-Takbeer	May 5
Ascension Day	May 29
Eid-ul-Adha	June 7-9*
Ashura	July 5-6*
Independence Day	August 14
Eid Milad-un-Nabi	September 5-6*
Quaid-e-Azam Day	December 25
Boxing Day	December 26

*Dates subject to lunar calendar variations

Effective leave management requires understanding both legal requirements and cultural context. SailGlobal's expertise helps international businesses implement compliant policies while respecting local practices.

Pakistan Employee Leave Guide 2025: HR Compliance & Regulations