FOSPAH rules fathers entitled to paternity leave

ISLAMABAD: Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) Fauzia Viqar has issued a landmark decision mandating that fathers must be granted paternity leave upon the birth of a child.

The ruling came after a complaint by banking officer Syed Basit Ali, whose request for 30 days of paternity leave was denied by the State Bank of Pakistan.

Fauzia Viqar imposed a fine of Rs5 million on the bank for failing to provide the leave.

Under the ombudsman’s order, Rs4 million of the fine will be paid to Syed Basit Ali as compensation, while the remaining Rs1 million will be deposited into the national treasury.

Ali was also granted 30 days of paternity leave with pay, while the State Bank of Pakistan was directed to establish a formal maternity and paternity leave policy in line with the Maternity and Paternity Leave Act 2023.

Fauzia Viqar said that denying paternity leave constitutes gender-based harassment and is discriminatory.

“Childcare is not the sole responsibility of women. Denying paternity leave undermines the shared responsibilities of parents and the best interests of the child,” she said.

The decision marks a significant step toward enforcing parental rights in Pakistan’s public and private sectors, emphasizing that fathers are entitled to the same leave rights as mothers.

The complaint had arisen after the State Bank of Pakistan rejected Ali’s leave request, citing the absence of a formal policy on paternity leave.