A woman’s viral LinkedIn post has sparked heated debate in Pakistan. Zainab Azhar claims she lost her job at a well-known IT company after returning from Hajj, even though she had taken approved time off for the pilgrimage.
In her post, Zainab wrote that Hajj was one of the most important journeys of her life. She took leave for it but found out upon her return that her job was gone. She said many companies talk about work-life balance and employee care on social media, but her experience showed something different. “Some things are bigger than a job,” she added, and she does not regret going for Hajj.
The story quickly spread on social media. Many people expressed anger and support for Zainab. They called for better workplace policies that respect religious obligations. Users asked why employees in Pakistan must choose between faith and livelihood. Some demanded that the company name should be revealed.
Pakistan’s labour laws provide some protections for employees, including notice periods and severance in many cases, but religious leave policies can vary by company. This incident has highlighted ongoing issues with job security and fair treatment in the private sector, especially in the IT industry.
The company has not made any public statement so far. The claims remain unverified as they come only from the employee’s side.
