The State Bank of Pakistan has been fined Rs500,000 for denying paternity leave to one of its employees, following a ruling by the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment.
The case was filed by Syed Basit Ali, who requested 30 days of paid leave after the birth of his son in April 2025. The bank rejected his request, citing internal policies that did not provide for such leave. Ali challenged the decision, arguing that it violated his legal rights under the Maternity and Paternity Leave Act 2023.
After reviewing the matter, Ombudsperson Fouzia Waqar ruled that the refusal amounted to gender based discrimination. In her decision, she emphasized that childcare responsibilities are shared by both parents and that statutory rights granted under federal law cannot be overridden by internal organizational rules.
The ruling directs the State Bank to grant the requested leave, pay Rs400,000 in compensation to the employee, and revise its policies to align with the 2023 law. The additional Rs500,000 fine serves as a penalty for non compliance.
The decision is being seen as a significant development for workplace rights in Pakistan. Legal experts say it reinforces the importance of enforcing parental leave protections and sets a precedent for other institutions to ensure their policies comply with national legislation.
