Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Public Holidays in Pakistan
Reviewed by the Commoner Law editorial team. Sources: pakistancode.gov.pk, Punjab/Sindh/KP/Balochistan provincial codes, Supreme Court of Pakistan, FBR, EOBI, SBP, NEPRA, OGRA, PMDC, FIA, and provincial Healthcare Commissions. Provincial variations cite Punjab/Sindh/KP/Balochistan Acts and ICT-specific ordinances. Written in plain English with everyday Urdu legal terms (FIR, qabza, khula, NTN, CNIC) for a general audience — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Pakistan's leave entitlements are scattered across the Factories Act, the Shops and Establishments Acts, and the Standing Orders Ordinance, but the practical floors don't differ much.
- Annual (earned) leave: 14 days a year with full pay after 12 months of continuous service. Earned at the rate of 1 day per 20 days of work in the previous year. Carry-forward up to 14 days is permitted under the Factories Act § 49C; anything not taken is encashed at termination.
- Casual leave: 10 days a year with full pay (Standing Order 10A). Used for personal exigencies — usually capped at 3 consecutive days at a time.
- Sick (medical) leave: 8 days a year with full pay or 16 days at half pay (Standing Order 10B). On top of this, ESSI-secured workers get sickness cash benefit for up to 121 days per year of certified illness.
- Public holidays: 13 federally gazetted — Pakistan Day (23 March), Labour Day (1 May), Eid-ul-Fitr (3 days), Eid-ul-Azha (3 days), Independence Day (14 August), Iqbal Day (9 November), Quaid-e-Azam Day (25 December), Ashura (9–10 Muharram), Eid Milad-un-Nabi (12 Rabi-ul-Awwal). Province-specific days like Sindhi Topi Day (December) and Mother Language Day (Punjab) add a few more.
- Maternity leave is covered separately under provincial Maternity Benefit Acts and ESSI — see the "Maternity Benefit" right.
When does it apply?
- You're a worker (permanent, daily-rated, or piece-rated) in a factory or commercial establishment.
- You've completed at least 12 months of continuous service for annual leave entitlement.
- You're on the rolls on the gazetted holiday — daily-rated workers also get public holidays as paid leave under § 9 of the Shops and Establishments Ordinance 1969.
What to do if your leave is denied
- Apply for leave in writing with reasonable notice — 15 days for annual leave is the convention. Casual leave can be applied on the day, sick leave on return with a medical certificate.
- If leave is wrongly refused, file a written grievance with the employer. Repeated refusal is "unfair labour practice" under section 32 of the provincial IRA — Labour Court has jurisdiction.
- Track encashment. Unused earned leave at termination must be paid in cash at the basic wage rate. Demand it in writing as part of the full and final settlement.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't lose annual leave by silence. Take or encash it before retirement — the carry-forward cap means anything beyond it lapses.
- Don't accept "you'll lose your job if you take leave." Refusing earned leave or retaliating for it is unfair labour practice.
- Don't skip the medical certificate. Sick leave without a certificate beyond 2 days can be reclassified as casual leave or unauthorized absence.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of paid leave does Pakistani law guarantee?
After one year of service: 14 days earned leave + 10 casual + 8 medical (full pay) or 16 medical (half pay) + the gazetted public holidays. That's the floor — your contract or company policy can give more, but not less.
Can I encash my unused annual leave?
Yes. Section 49C of the Factories Act and the parallel provincial Shops and Establishments Acts require encashment of accumulated earned leave at termination, retirement, or resignation, calculated on basic + dearness allowance.
Are public holidays paid for daily-rated workers?
Yes. Section 9 of the Shops and Establishments Ordinance 1969 (and the provincial equivalents) make public holidays paid leave for all workers on the rolls — daily-rated, piece-rated, or monthly.
When does annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays apply?
You're a worker (permanent, daily-rated, or piece-rated) in a factory or commercial establishment.You've completed at least 12 months of continuous service for annual leave entitlement.You're on the rolls on the gazetted holiday — daily-rated workers also get public holidays as paid leave under § 9 of the Shops and Establishments Ordinance 1969.
My employer is refusing to grant my earned leave — what can I do in Pakistan?
Apply for leave in writing with reasonable notice — 15 days for annual leave is the convention. Casual leave can be applied on the day, sick leave on return with a medical certificate.If leave is wrongly refused, file a written grievance with the employer. Repeated refusal is "unfair labour practice" under section 32 of the provincial IRA — Labour Court has jurisdiction.Track encashment. Unused earned leave at termination must be paid in cash at the basic wage rate. Demand it in writing as part of the full and final settlement.
What mistakes should I avoid with annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays?
Don't lose annual leave by silence. Take or encash it before retirement — the carry-forward cap means anything beyond it lapses.Don't accept "you'll lose your job if you take leave." Refusing earned leave or retaliating for it is unfair labour practice.Don't skip the medical certificate. Sick leave without a certificate beyond 2 days can be reclassified as casual leave or unauthorized absence.