ISLAMABAD – In a landmark decision defending women’s workplace rights, the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH) has ruled that dismissing a woman during her maternity leave constitutes gender discrimination a verdict that could set a strong precedent for women’s employment security across Pakistan.
Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar, who announced the ruling on a complaint filed by the affected employee, imposed a fine of Rs1 million on the private company responsible for the unlawful termination. Out of the total fine, Rs800,000 will be paid to the complainant as compensation, while Rs200,000 will go to the national treasury. The company has also been directed to reinstate the woman to her position immediately.
In her written order, Viqar emphasized that “motherhood should never be treated as a hurdle in a woman’s career,” reaffirming that job security during maternity leave is a fundamental right under the law. She said such practices not only violate women’s legal protections but also reflect a discriminatory attitude that must be eliminated from workplaces.
According to case records, the woman was hired as an HR Manager on July 20, 2022, and was granted maternity leave from March 14 to June 14, 2024. Despite the approved leave, the company terminated her employment on April 24, 2024, citing internal restructuring a move FOSPAH declared both unethical and unlawful.
During the hearing, the complainant stated that she was “shocked and emotionally distressed” upon receiving the termination letter while recovering from childbirth. The company failed to justify its action or provide any evidence that the dismissal was unrelated to her maternity status.
Delivering the verdict, Viqar reminded all organizations public and private of their constitutional obligation to ensure a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for working women. She stressed that every woman has the right to maternity protection, paid leave, and freedom from job insecurity.
“This judgment should serve as a reminder that women are not to be penalized for becoming mothers,” Viqar said. “Institutions must recognize maternity as a natural part of a woman’s life, not a reason to strip her of her livelihood.”
The decision has been widely praised by women’s rights advocates, who say it sends a strong message to employers across the country to respect maternity rights and gender equality in the workplace.
