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 a statement issued on social media by FOSPAH, the decision was taken on a complaint filed by a State Bank employee who was refused 30 days of paternity leave.

The ruling was announced by Federal Ombudsperson Fozia Viqar, who termed the denial of leave discriminatory and in violation of employees’ rights.

The complainant, an officer of the State Bank of Pakistan Banking Services Corporation, had approached FOSPAH after his request for paternity leave was rejected because no formal policy existed.

FOSPAH directed the bank to grant the officer 30 days of paid paternity leave and ordered it to formulate a formal policy under the Maternity and Paternity Leave Act, 2023.

Media reports said the ombudsperson ruled that the denial amounted to gender discrimination and harassment, and instructed the bank to provide full salary during the leave period.

Under the order, Rs400,000 from the fine will be paid to the complainant as compensation, while the remaining Rs100,000 will be deposited in the national treasury.

FOSPAH said childcare is not solely the responsibility of women and that denying paternity leave undermines shared parental responsibility and the best interests of the child.

The ruling is being seen as a landmark decision for workplace equality, reinforcing fathers’ rights and promoting balanced family responsibilities in Pakistan’s public sector institutions.