ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) has declared paternity leave mandatory upon the birth of a child and imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on the State Bank of Pakistan for denying leave to an employee.
According to FOSPAH, the decision followed a complaint by a State Bank officer whose request for 30 days of paternity leave was refused due to the absence of a formal policy. Federal Ombudsperson Fozia Viqar described the denial as discriminatory and a violation of employee rights.
FOSPAH directed the bank to grant the officer 30 days of paid paternity leave and to establish a formal policy under the Maternity and Paternity Leave Act, 2023. Media reports said the ruling classified the denial as gender discrimination and harassment, and ordered full salary during the leave period.
Under the judgment, Rs400,000 of the fine will be paid to the complainant as compensation, while Rs100,000 will be deposited into the national treasury. FOSPAH emphasized that childcare is not solely a woman’s responsibility and that denying paternity leave undermines shared parental duties and the child’s best interests.
The ruling is being hailed as a landmark decision for workplace equality in Pakistan, reinforcing fathers’ rights and promoting balanced family responsibilities in public sector institutions.
