Government leave rules explain when a government employee can take leave, what types of leave are available, how leave is earned and accumulated, who can sanction it, and what happens when an employee remains absent beyond the approved period.
Leave rules are important for both serving government employees and people preparing for government service because the exact entitlement depends on the applicable government, department, service rules and type of leave.
For Balochistan government employees, the current provincial framework is the Balochistan Civil Servants’ Leave Rules, 2020, issued by the Finance Department under the Balochistan Civil Servants Act, 1974. These rules cover different forms of leave, including casual leave, earned leave, medical leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, study leave, extraordinary leave, disability leave and leave preparatory to retirement.
This guide explains the major government leave rules applicable to Balochistan civil servants, including how leave is earned, common leave categories, medical and family-related leave, study leave, leave without pay, retirement leave, the application procedure and the consequences of unauthorized absence.
Important: Leave rules are not identical for every government employee in Pakistan. Federal employees and employees of other provincial governments can be governed by different rules. Always check the rules applicable to your own department and service.
What Are Government Leave Rules?
Government leave rules are official regulations that govern an employee’s absence from duty with the approval of the competent authority.
They determine:
- Which types of leave are available
- How much leave an employee can receive
- How leave is earned
- Whether leave is with full pay, half pay or without pay
- Which authority can approve leave
- How leave applications are submitted
- How leave is recorded
- What happens when leave expires
Under the Balochistan Civil Servants’ Leave Rules, 2020, leave is generally a provision to stay away from work for genuine reasons with prior approval. The rules also make clear that an employee should not leave the place of duty merely because a leave application has been submitted.
Is Government Leave a Right?
Under the Balochistan Leave Rules, leave generally cannot be claimed as a matter of right.
However, the rules specifically identify certain categories for which leave is treated differently, including Hajj and Umrah leave, leave for minorities to visit their holy places, medical leave, disability leave and special leave for female civil servants as prescribed in the rules.
The competent authority can refuse or revoke leave in circumstances permitted by the rules, but the authority cannot simply change the type of leave applied for and replace it with another type.
Employees should therefore wait for actual sanction before leaving their place of duty, except where the rules provide for an emergency situation.
Types of Government Leave in Balochistan
The Balochistan Civil Servants’ Leave Rules, 2020 recognize several categories of leave.
| Leave Type | General Purpose |
|---|---|
| Casual Leave | Short periods of absence. |
| Quarantine Leave | Medical isolation or quarantine circumstances. |
| Earned Leave | Leave accumulated through qualifying duty. |
| Half-Pay Leave | Leave obtained by conversion of full-pay leave. |
| Leave Not Due | Leave taken against future leave earnings subject to conditions. |
| Extraordinary Leave | Leave without pay. |
| Study Leave | Approved higher or specialized studies. |
| Maternity Leave | Leave connected with childbirth. |
| Paternity Leave | Leave connected with the birth of a child. |
| Medical Leave | Leave on medical grounds. |
| Disability Leave | Disability resulting from injury, ailment or disease connected with official duty. |
| Study Leave | Scientific, technical or higher education-related study under the rules. |
| Leave Preparatory to Retirement | Leave taken before retirement subject to the applicable conditions. |
The rules also provide for special leave for female civil servants on the death of a husband, hospital leave, special leave for Khuddam-ul-Hajjaj and Hajj seasonal staff, vacation arrangements for academic staff and ex-Pakistan leave.
How Is Earned Leave Calculated?
Under the Balochistan Civil Servants’ Leave Rules, 2020, a civil servant earns leave on full average pay at the rate of four days for every calendar month of duty rendered.
For this purpose, a duty period of fifteen days or less in a calendar month is ignored, while more than fifteen days is treated as a full calendar month subject to the rules.
The rules state that there is no maximum limit on accumulation of earned leave.
| Duty Period | Earned Leave |
|---|---|
| 1 qualifying calendar month | 4 days |
| 6 qualifying calendar months | 24 days |
| 12 qualifying calendar months | 48 days |
This table is a simple illustration of the earning rate and does not replace the detailed calculation rules in the official leave account.
Casual Leave Rules
Casual leave is intended for short periods of absence.
Under the Balochistan Leave Rules:
- Casual leave should ordinarily not exceed 10 days at a time.
- It should ordinarily not exceed 25 days in one calendar year.
- In special circumstances, the sanctioning authority may grant up to 15 days at a time.
- Casual leave may be combined with Saturday, Sunday or public holidays subject to the rules.
- It cannot ordinarily be combined with another type of leave or joining time.
- A government servant cannot leave headquarters during casual leave or holidays without permission of the sanctioning authority.
Employees should therefore avoid treating casual leave as an unlimited short-term absence facility.
Earned Leave on Full Pay
Earned leave on full pay is accumulated through qualifying duty and is recorded in the employee's leave account.
The rules specify a maximum period of 120 days at one time without a medical certificate.
With a medical certificate, leave on full pay can be granted for up to 180 days at one time, subject to the applicable provisions.
The rules also provide for medical leave on certificate from the leave account for up to 365 days during the entire service under the specified conditions.
Employees should therefore distinguish between the different medical and non-medical provisions rather than treating all full-pay leave as one category.
Leave on Half Pay
A civil servant can, subject to the rules, convert full-pay leave into half-pay leave.
The conversion is made at the rate of one day of full-pay leave for every two days of half-pay leave.
There is no separate maximum limit on half-pay leave so long as sufficient leave is available for conversion in the employee's leave account.
During half-pay leave, the employee receives the applicable half-pay amount and the allowances permitted under the rules.
Leave Not Due
Leave not due allows an eligible civil servant to take leave against leave that is expected to be earned in the future.
Under the Balochistan rules, leave not due can be granted on full pay for a maximum of 365 days during the entire service.
During the first five years of service, it cannot exceed 90 days in total.
This type of leave is granted subject to conditions and is intended for circumstances where there are reasonable prospects that the employee will resume duty after the leave.
It is not ordinarily available to temporary civil servants.
Extraordinary Leave Without Pay
Extraordinary Leave (EOL) is leave without leave salary.
It can be granted when no other type of leave is admissible or when an employee specifically applies for extraordinary leave in writing.
Under the Balochistan Leave Rules:
- An employee with at least 10 years of continuous service can be granted EOL for up to 5 years at a time, subject to the rules.
- An employee who has not completed 10 years of continuous service can be granted EOL for up to 2 years at the discretion of the competent authority.
- EOL is without pay.
- The period of EOL does not count toward the prescribed service for promotion.
- The period does not count as qualifying service for pension.
- Inter-se seniority is retained under the rule.
Employees should therefore understand the long-term service implications before applying for extended leave without pay.
Maternity Leave Rules
A female civil servant may be granted maternity leave for a maximum period of 90 days with full pay.
The leave is available outside the employee's leave account and can be taken immediately before or after childbirth.
The Balochistan rules provide that maternity leave cannot ordinarily be granted more than three times during the entire service of a female civil servant in a non-vacation department.
For confinements beyond the third one, the employee would have to use leave from her normal leave account under the specified provisions.
Maternity leave can also be combined with other admissible leave according to the rules.
Paternity Leave Rules
A male civil servant may be granted 10 days of paternity leave with full pay on or immediately before the birth of his child.
The paternity leave is granted outside the employee's leave account.
Under the Balochistan rules, paternity leave is admissible two times during the entire service.
Employees should apply through the prescribed departmental channel and follow any documentary requirements specified by the competent authority.
Special Leave for Female Civil Servants After Husband’s Death
The Balochistan Leave Rules provide special leave to a female civil servant following the death of her husband.
The leave can be granted on full pay for up to 130 days and is not debited from her leave account.
The leave starts from the date of the husband's death.
The employee is required to provide a death certificate issued by the competent authority with the application or separately where it is not possible to provide it at the time of application.
Medical Leave Rules
Medical leave is available to civil servants under the applicable medical provisions.
The Balochistan rules state that medical leave shall not be refused and is to be granted for the period provided under the relevant full-pay leave rule when the employee submits the required medical certificate.
The certificate must be issued by an authorized or qualified medical practitioner in the prescribed form.
The leave sanctioning authority may, where necessary, seek a second medical opinion through a Civil Surgeon, Physician or Medical Board.
Employees should therefore use the prescribed medical documentation instead of relying only on an informal medical note.
Disability Leave
Disability leave is available where a civil servant becomes disabled because of an injury, ailment or disease contracted in the course of or as a consequence of official duty.
Under the Balochistan Leave Rules, disability leave can be granted outside the employee's leave account for up to 720 days on each occasion, subject to the prescribed medical advice and conditions.
Disability leave carries full pay under the rule.
Hospital Leave
Hospital leave is intended for civil servants whose duties involve dangerous machinery, explosives, poisonous drugs or other hazardous tasks.
It can apply where an illness or injury is directly caused by risks encountered in the course of official duty.
Hospital leave is not debited against the employee's leave account and can be combined with other admissible leave subject to the overall limit specified in the rules.
The rules provide a maximum combined period of 28 months in the circumstances covered by the provision.
Study Leave Rules
Study leave can be granted as additional leave for scientific, technical or similar studies or for special courses of instruction.
The Balochistan rules emphasize that study leave should be granted with due regard to the requirements of public service and should support courses that improve the employee's capacity to perform official duties.
Important conditions include:
- Study leave is generally not granted to employees with less than five years of service.
- It is generally not granted within three years of superannuation or the date on which the employee has the option of retiring.
- For specified master's-level studies, the maximum is 24 months or the verified course period, whichever is less.
- For PhD studies, the maximum is 48 months or the verified course period, whichever is less.
- The rules contain a service commitment after completion of the higher qualification.
- Study leave can count as service for promotion and pension under the prescribed conditions.
Employees should carefully review the study-leave conditions before enrolling in a long-term program.
Leave Preparatory to Retirement
Leave Preparatory to Retirement (LPR) is leave taken before retirement subject to the conditions in the leave rules.
Under the Balochistan rules, a civil servant who seeks voluntary retirement after completing 25 years of qualifying service may be granted LPR for up to 365 days, subject to available leave.
LPR can be taken on full pay, partly on full pay and half pay, or entirely on half pay depending on the employee's available leave balance and applicable conditions.
LPR cannot extend beyond the age of superannuation.
Encashment of Leave Before Retirement
In specified circumstances, a civil servant can opt for encashment of leave preparatory to retirement instead of actually taking the leave.
The Balochistan rules provide an option relating to encashment before superannuation or after the required qualifying service, subject to the prescribed conditions and timelines.
Where LPR is refused because of public-service requirements despite being applied for in sufficient time, the rules also provide for lump-sum leave pay in lieu of the refused leave, subject to the prescribed maximum.
Employees approaching retirement should therefore check the latest retirement and leave instructions before making an encashment decision.
Leave in Case of Death or Permanent Incapacity
The Balochistan Leave Rules contain a provision for employees who die or are declared permanently incapacitated for further service while in service.
In such circumstances, a lump-sum payment equal to the applicable leave pay up to 365 days from the leave at the employee's credit can be made to the employee or family according to the conditions in the rules.
This provision is separate from the ordinary process of taking leave during service and should not be confused with a normal leave application.
Can Leave Be Taken Without Approval?
Employees should not assume that submitting a leave application means that the leave has been approved.
The rules specifically state that an employee applying for leave should wait for actual sanction before leaving the place of duty.
Leave should normally be applied for and sanctioned before it is taken, except in emergency situations where the rules allow later regularization for satisfactory reasons.
Leaving duty without waiting for approval can create an unauthorized absence issue.
How to Apply for Government Leave
- Determine which type of leave is required.
- Check your leave balance where applicable.
- Check the conditions for the selected leave category.
- Complete the prescribed leave application form.
- Attach the required medical or supporting documents.
- Submit the application through the proper departmental channel.
- Wait for approval from the competent authority.
- Do not leave the place of duty before the leave is actually sanctioned.
- Hand over charge where required.
- Keep a copy of the approved leave order.
- Return to duty on the specified date.
- Report your return to the relevant authority.
Can Holidays Be Combined With Leave?
Under the Balochistan rules, Saturdays, Sundays, restricted holidays, other holidays and vacation can be prefixed or suffixed to leave subject to the conditions and limits applicable to the particular leave category.
Casual leave has additional restrictions. It can be combined with Saturday, Sunday or public holidays, but the total period and treatment of holidays must follow the specific casual-leave rule.
Employees should therefore check the exact leave category before calculating the total period away from duty.
Can Different Types of Leave Be Combined?
Generally, different types of leave can be combined or taken in continuation of each other unless the rules specifically provide otherwise.
However, casual leave and leave preparatory to retirement cannot be combined with other leave under the Balochistan rules.
The employee should mention the intended combination clearly in the application and ensure that each type of leave is admissible.
Can an Employee Change the Type of Leave?
The leave sanctioning authority does not have the power to change the nature of leave applied for.
The Balochistan rules state that the option exercised by the civil servant is considered final for the application.
However, leave already sanctioned but not availed can be converted into another kind of leave on application within 30 days of sanction, subject to availability and the applicable conditions.
Employees should therefore select the correct leave category when submitting the original application.
What Happens When Leave Expires?
An employee is expected to return to duty when the approved leave period ends.
Remaining absent after the expiry of leave can lead to financial and disciplinary consequences.
Under the Balochistan rules:
- The employee is not entitled to remuneration for the period of unauthorized absence.
- Double the period of unauthorized absence can be debited against the leave account.
- Disciplinary action can also be taken.
- If the employee remains absent for more than 30 days after leave, salary can be stopped under the rule.
Employees who need additional leave should apply for an extension before the approved leave expires wherever possible.
Can an Employee Return Early From Leave?
A civil servant on leave cannot normally return to duty before the expiry of the sanctioned leave without permission from the authority that granted the leave.
Employees who need to return early should therefore obtain the required permission rather than simply reporting back without approval.
Returning to Duty After Leave
After returning from leave, the employee must report to the authority that sanctioned the leave.
The rules state that an employee returning from leave is not automatically entitled, in the absence of specific orders, to resume the exact post held before going on leave. The employee should report the return and await the required orders.
After medical leave, the leave-sanctioning authority may require a medical fitness certificate in the prescribed form.
Leave and Employment Elsewhere
A government employee on leave cannot simply take another job or service elsewhere without obtaining the required prior permission.
The Balochistan Leave Rules contain restrictions on accepting employment while on leave and require prior sanction from the competent authority in the circumstances covered by the rules.
Employees should therefore not treat leave as permission to start outside employment without checking the applicable service rules and obtaining the required approval.
Ex-Pakistan Leave
The Balochistan Leave Rules allow eligible leave to be granted as Ex-Pakistan Leave where the employee specifically applies for it or proceeds abroad during leave, subject to the prescribed procedure.
Employees planning to travel abroad during leave should ensure that the permission covers the overseas travel where required.
This is particularly important for government employees because ordinary domestic leave and permission to travel abroad can involve different administrative requirements.
Leave Account and Service Record
Leave is recorded through the employee's official leave account.
For non-gazetted civil servants, the leave account is maintained as part of the Service Book under the Balochistan rules.
Employees should periodically verify that:
- Earned leave credits are correctly recorded.
- Leave already taken has been properly debited.
- Medical leave is recorded correctly.
- Special leave is reflected where applicable.
- Previous department transfers have not caused missing leave records.
- The leave balance is accurate before retirement or encashment.
Maintaining an accurate leave record can be particularly important when calculating retirement benefits or resolving a dispute over leave balance.
Leave and Retirement Benefits
Leave can become important at the end of government service because unused leave can be subject to encashment or other treatment under the applicable rules.
The Balochistan Leave Rules contain specific provisions concerning leave preparatory to retirement, refused retirement leave and encashment.
Employees approaching retirement should therefore verify their leave balance and retirement status well before the relevant date.
They should also check whether the latest rules or subsequent notifications have changed any retirement-related procedure.
Government Leave Rules and Promotion
Not every type of leave has the same effect on service for promotion.
For example, the Balochistan rules specifically state that extraordinary leave without pay does not count toward the prescribed length of service for promotion.
By contrast, the rules state that study leave counts as service for promotion and pension under the specified conditions.
This distinction is important for employees planning long periods of absence.
Common Government Leave Mistakes
- Leaving duty before leave is formally sanctioned.
- Assuming an application automatically means approval.
- Exceeding the approved leave period.
- Failing to apply for an extension before leave expires.
- Using casual leave beyond the applicable limits.
- Submitting incomplete medical documentation.
- Ignoring the difference between full-pay and half-pay leave.
- Assuming extraordinary leave is paid leave.
- Ignoring the effect of extraordinary leave on promotion and pension.
- Taking outside employment while on leave without required permission.
- Failing to maintain an accurate leave account.
- Assuming federal leave rules automatically apply to Balochistan employees.
- Relying on old leave information without checking the current rules.
How to Verify Government Leave Rules
Leave rules can be amended through government notifications, revised rules and departmental instructions. Employees should therefore verify the current position before relying on an old leave calculation.
For Balochistan government employees, the main document is the Balochistan Civil Servants’ Leave Rules, 2020, issued by the Finance Department.
Employees should also check:
- Their department's applicable service rules
- Current Finance Department notifications
- Services & General Administration Department instructions
- Applicable amendments
- Orders issued by the competent leave-sanctioning authority
For federal employees or employees of another province, the relevant federal or provincial leave rules should be consulted instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much casual leave is allowed to Balochistan government employees?
Casual leave should ordinarily not exceed 10 days at a time and 25 days in a calendar year. In special circumstances, up to 15 days at a time may be granted under the applicable rule.
How is earned leave calculated in Balochistan?
A civil servant earns leave on full average pay at the rate of four days for every qualifying calendar month of duty under the Balochistan Civil Servants’ Leave Rules, 2020.
Is there a maximum limit for accumulation of earned leave?
The Balochistan rules state that there is no maximum limit on accumulation of earned leave.
How much maternity leave is available?
A female civil servant may be granted up to 90 days of maternity leave with full pay outside her leave account, subject to the conditions in the rules.
How much paternity leave is available?
A male civil servant may receive up to 10 days of paternity leave with full pay outside his leave account. The Balochistan rules limit this to two times during the entire service.
What is extraordinary leave?
Extraordinary leave is leave without pay. It may be granted when other leave is not admissible or when the employee specifically applies for it in writing.
How long can extraordinary leave be granted?
Under the Balochistan rules, an employee with at least 10 years of continuous service can generally receive up to five years at a time, while an employee with less than 10 years can generally receive up to two years, subject to the applicable conditions and authority.
Does extraordinary leave affect promotion?
Yes. The Balochistan rules state that extraordinary leave without pay does not count toward the prescribed length of service for promotion.
How much study leave is available?
For specified master's-level studies, study leave can be granted for up to 24 months or the verified course period, whichever is less. For PhD studies, the maximum is 48 months or the verified course period, whichever is less.
Can medical leave be refused?
The Balochistan rules state that medical leave shall not be refused when the required medical certificate is submitted, subject to the applicable rules and the authority's ability to seek a second medical opinion where necessary.
Can government employees take leave without approval?
Employees should not leave their place of duty merely because they have submitted a leave application. They should wait for actual sanction, except where the rules allow emergency treatment of the absence.
What happens if an employee remains absent after leave expires?
Unauthorized absence can result in loss of remuneration for the period, additional debit against the leave account and disciplinary action under the applicable rules.
Can an employee take another job while on government leave?
Not without the required prior permission. Government service rules can restrict outside employment while an employee is on leave.
Can government leave be taken abroad?
Eligible leave can be granted as Ex-Pakistan Leave under the Balochistan rules where the required conditions and application procedure are followed.
Can leave be combined with public holidays?
Yes, holidays can be prefixed or suffixed to leave subject to the specific conditions and limits applicable to the type of leave.
Can casual leave be combined with other leave?
Generally, casual leave cannot be combined with another type of leave or joining time, although it may be combined with Saturday, Sunday or public holidays subject to the rules.
What is Leave Preparatory to Retirement?
LPR is leave taken before retirement. Under the Balochistan rules, a civil servant seeking voluntary retirement after 25 years of qualifying service may be granted up to 365 days, subject to available leave and other conditions.
Where can I check the official Balochistan leave rules?
The official Government of Balochistan website publishes the Balochistan Civil Servants’ Leave Rules, 2020 through its Finance Department rules section.
Final Advice
Government leave is a regulated part of government service, not simply an informal permission to stay away from work.
For Balochistan civil servants, the Balochistan Civil Servants’ Leave Rules, 2020 provide detailed rules for casual leave, earned leave, half-pay leave, medical leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, study leave, extraordinary leave, disability leave, hospital leave and retirement-related leave.
The most important practical rule for employees is to wait for actual approval before leaving duty and to return on the date specified in the leave order. If additional time is required, the employee should follow the prescribed procedure for extension rather than simply remaining absent.
Employees should also remember that different types of leave can have different effects on salary, leave balance, promotion, pension and retirement benefits.
Finally, do not rely on a general "government leave policy" found on an old website or social-media post. Check the latest official rules applicable to your government, department, service and type of leave before making an important leave decision.
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