The Federal Ombudsman has penalised the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for denying paternity leave to a male employee. The Ombudsman imposed a fine of PKR 5,00,000 on the central bank, declaring the denial a case of gender-based discrimination.
According to the verdict, the SBP must pay PKR 4,00,000 of the fine directly to the complainant as damages. The remaining PKR 1,00,000 will be deposited into the national treasury.
The Case Against State Bank
Basit Ali, the complainant, filed a petition against the State Bank in December 2025. He had applied for a 30-day paternity leave under the Maternity and Paternity Leave Act, 2023.
However, the bank rejected his application. The SBP argued that it could not grant the leave simply because an internal policy for paternity leave did not exist yet. This refusal came despite the fact that the federal law was already enacted and fully operational.
A Verdict on Gender Discrimination
The Federal Ombudsman rejected the bank’s defence. The judgment highlighted a clear contradiction. SBP was already granting maternity leave to female employees under federal law, but refused the same legal right to men.
Consequently, the Ombudsman ruled this refusal as “proven and undeniable” gender discrimination. The verdict further declared that under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, this discrimination amounts to harassment.
The decision also referenced Article 38 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which guarantees the social and economic welfare of the people.
Directives for Compliance
The Federal Ombudsman has issued strict directives to the State Bank. The bank must immediately grant the complainant a 30-day paternity leave with full pay. Furthermore, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is ordered to align its internal leave policy completely with the Maternity and Paternity Leave Act, 2023 to prevent future violations.
