Sick Leave in Pakistan: Provincial Rules and the 10-Day Standard

Pakistan’s sick leave law provides employees with 10 days of paid sick leave per year under the federal Shops and Establishments Act, 1969. Provincial rules vary — Punjab and Sindh provide 8 days, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provide 10–16 days. The employer pays full wages during this period, and there is no state sickness benefit for ordinary illness.

Key Takeaways

• The federal standard is 10 days of paid sick leave per year at full wages
• Provincial rules vary from 8 to 16 days depending on the jurisdiction
• The employer pays 100% of wages during the sick leave period
• A medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner is required from day 1
• There is no state sickness benefit for ordinary illness in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Sick Leave Entitlement

Pakistan’s sick leave system varies by province because labour law is a concurrent subject — both federal and provincial governments can legislate. The federal Shops and Establishments Act, 1969 provides a baseline of 10 days, but each province has its own Shops and Establishments Act with different entitlements.

Province	Sick Days/Year	Pay Rate
Federal (Islamabad)	10 days	100%
Punjab	8 days	100%
Sindh	8 days	100%
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa	10–16 days	100%
Balochistan	10 days	100%

The entitlement is the same regardless of length of service. Sick leave is separate from annual leave.

Who Pays for Sick Leave?

Period	Pay Rate	Who Pays
Days 1–8/10/16 (per year)	100% of wages	Employer

There is no state sickness benefit for ordinary illness in Pakistan. The employer bears the full cost.

Sick Leave Pay Rates

Province	Sick Days	Pay Rate	Source
Federal	10 days	100%	Shops and Establishments Act 1969
Punjab	8 days	100%	Punjab Shops and Establishments Act 2016
Sindh	8 days	100%	Sindh Shops and Establishments Act 2015
KPK	10–16 days	100%	KPK Shops and Establishments Act 2020
Balochistan	10 days	100%	Balochistan Shops and Establishments Act 1971

Medical Certificate Requirements

Pakistan requires a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner from the first day of illness. The certificate must specify:

• The date of examination
• The expected duration of the absence
• The diagnosis

The employee must present the certificate to the employer. Some employers accept self-certification for 1–2 days, but the statutory requirement varies by province.

How to Calculate Sick Pay in Pakistan

Example: An employee in Punjab earning PKR 50,000/month is off sick for 6 working days.

1. Sick leave (6 days): 100% of wages
2. Daily wage: PKR 50,000 ÷ 30 = PKR 1,666.67/day
3. Sick pay: PKR 1,666.67 × 6 = PKR 10,000

The employee uses 6 days of their 8-day annual entitlement (Punjab). They have 2 days remaining for any subsequent illness in the same year.

Employer Obligations and Penalties

Pakistani employers must:

• Pay 100% of wages during sick leave as prescribed by provincial law
• Record all sick leave taken by each employee
• Maintain medical certificates on file
• Provide payslips showing sick leave details
• Maintain records for at least 2 years

Non-compliance can result in fines from the provincial labour directorate and potential labour court proceedings.

Comparison With Other Countries

Country	Sick Days	Pay	Certificate Required
Pakistan	8–16 days (by province)	100%	Day 1
UK	28 weeks SSP	£116.75/week	Day 7
Australia	10 days personal/carer’s leave	Full rate	2+ consecutive days
US	Varies by state	Varies	Employer policy

FAQ

Why do sick leave entitlements vary by province in Pakistan?

Labour law in Pakistan is a concurrent subject — both the federal government and provincial governments can legislate. Each province has enacted its own Shops and Establishments Act with different entitlements. Employers must apply the law of the province where the employee works.

Can the employer require a medical certificate from day 1?

Yes. The statutory requirement is a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner from the first day of illness. Some employers accept self-certification for 1–2 days as a company policy, but the legal requirement varies by province.

Is sick leave separate from annual leave?

Yes. Sick leave and annual leave are separate entitlements. Taking sick leave does not reduce the employee’s annual leave balance. An employee is entitled to their full sick leave and annual leave entitlements each year.