There is no single, national maternity leave rule in Pakistan. After the 18th Amendment devolved labour to the provinces, each assembly set its own entitlement, so a woman in Karachi and a woman in Lahore doing the same job can be entitled to different periods of leave. This guide lays out the duration and pay in every province, explains who qualifies, covers the federal paternity leave regime, and shows what to do if an employer refuses. For the wider framework, see our overview of labour laws in Pakistan.
Maternity leave duration and pay by province
The table below sets out the statutory position for private-sector and commercial employees under each province's governing law:
| Province / region | Paid leave | Governing law |
|---|---|---|
| Sindh | 16 weeks | Sindh Maternity Benefits Act 2018 |
| Punjab | 12 weeks | West Pakistan Maternity Benefit Ordinance 1958 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 12 weeks | KP Maternity Benefits Act 2013 |
| Balochistan | 12 weeks | West Pakistan Maternity Benefit Ordinance 1958 |
| Islamabad (ICT, private) | 12 weeks | West Pakistan Maternity Benefit Ordinance 1958 |
| Federal government staff | Up to 180 days | Maternity and Paternity Leave Act 2023 |
Every version of the law requires the leave to be paid at the rate of the employee's last drawn wages, with no deduction. The difference between provinces is the length of the leave and the qualifying service - not whether you get paid.
How the pay works
Maternity benefit is not a token allowance. It is your ordinary wage, continued through the leave period. In Sindh you receive full pay across the 16 weeks; in the 12-week provinces you receive full pay across those 12 weeks. Employers cannot treat the leave as unpaid, cannot force you to use annual leave for it, and cannot dock the amount from a bonus or gratuity. If your workplace is covered by provincial social security, some medical and confinement costs may also be reimbursed. For how leave interacts with your other entitlements, read our leave policy and law guide and our employee benefits guide.
Who qualifies
Entitlement depends on a minimum period of service before your expected delivery date. It also depends on giving notice:
| Province | Qualifying service before delivery | Notice to employer |
|---|---|---|
| Sindh | 1 continuous year | Written application ~12 weeks before delivery |
| Punjab | 4 months | Written or verbal, up to 6 weeks before |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 4 months | Written or verbal, up to 6 weeks before |
| Balochistan | 4 months | Written or verbal, up to 6 weeks before |
Notice can usually also be given within seven days after delivery where the birth was early or unexpected. Keep a copy of whatever you submit - it is your proof that you claimed the benefit in time.
Protection against dismissal
The strongest part of these laws is job security. An employer cannot dismiss a woman while she is on maternity leave. The Sindh Maternity Benefits Act 2018 goes further: it bars dismissal during the leave and in the six months preceding it where the purpose is to dodge the maternity payment. A dismissal that breaches these rules is unlawful and can be challenged. If it happens to you, see our guides to termination of employment and the labour court grievance procedure, and read how labour courts and the NIRC handle these disputes.
Alongside dismissal protection, a returning mother is protected from harassment and discriminatory treatment at work under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010. The constitutional guarantee of equality in Article 25 underpins all of these safeguards.
Nursing breaks and return to work
Sindh's 2018 law recognises that leave alone is not enough. It requires covered workplaces to allow a nursing mother to visit a day-care facility up to four times during the working day to feed the child. Where a creche or day-care duty applies, the employer must provide it. When you return, you are entitled to go back to your role on the same terms - the leave does not reset your seniority, and your service for gratuity and provident fund keeps running. See our guides on gratuity rules and provident fund.
Paternity leave in Pakistan
Paternity leave is still the exception rather than the rule. The Maternity and Paternity Leave Act 2023 introduced a statutory right for staff under the administrative control of the federal government:
| Federal employee | Entitlement | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Mother (1st birth) | 180 days full pay | Up to 3 times in service |
| Mother (2nd birth) | 120 days full pay | |
| Mother (3rd birth) | 90 days full pay | |
| Father | 30 days full pay | Up to 3 times in service |
Breaching the 2023 Act can bring imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to PKR 100,000, or both. Most private-sector provincial laws do not yet require paternity leave, though many employers grant a few days as a matter of policy.
What to do if your employer refuses
If maternity benefit is denied, unpaid, or you are pushed out of your job, the law is on your side. Take these steps:
- Put your leave request and the refusal in writing, and keep dated copies.
- Raise a formal grievance with your employer under the statutory grievance procedure.
- If unresolved, approach the labour court or the relevant provincial labour department.
- Get advice early - deadlines for labour claims are short.
Our team can review your case and act quickly. Explore our employment and labour law services and labour law consultation, or download a starting template from our legal forms library.
Frequently asked questions
How many weeks of maternity leave in Pakistan?
Sindh gives 16 weeks; Punjab, KP, Balochistan and Islamabad give 12 weeks. Female federal government staff get up to 180 days for a first birth.
Is maternity leave fully paid?
Yes. It is paid at the rate of your last drawn wages, with no deduction, once you meet the qualifying service period.
Do I get paternity leave?
Only federal government employees have a statutory right - 30 days under the 2023 Act. Private-sector paternity leave, if any, is employer policy.
Can I be sacked while pregnant or on leave?
No. Dismissal during maternity leave is unlawful. In Sindh, the protection extends to the six months before the leave.
What if I have not completed the qualifying service?
Entitlement to statutory paid leave may not apply, but check your contract and any company policy, and take advice - exact rules vary by province.