Pakistan’s Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) has taken strong action against a private company. The authority fined the firm Rs1.2 million for unlawfully firing a female employee while she was on approved maternity leave. This decision, announced on June 23, 2026, is seen as a landmark ruling to protect working women’s rights.
The employee, an accountant, learned about her termination through a phone call from her employer. She received no written notice or clear reasons for the action. FOSPAH investigated the case thoroughly. They reviewed witness statements and documents. The body found that the termination was linked to her pregnancy and maternity status. This amounted to gender discrimination and psychological harassment.
After returning from leave, the woman faced more unfair treatment. Her employer ignored her needs for safe transport due to post-childbirth recovery, delayed childcare paperwork, and withheld her salary raise without explanation.
FOSPAH stressed that employers have a special duty to support pregnant and new mothers. They must provide a safe and fair workplace. The company must now use only formal written communication for any future actions and cannot take revenge against the employee. It must also follow corrective steps under the 2010 Harassment Law.
This ruling sets a strong example for all private companies in Pakistan. It reinforces legal protections for motherhood and equality at work.
