The Punjab Health Department has issued new directives regarding the approval of leave for doctors and medical staff across the province.
Under the revised policy the authority of teaching hospitals and medical institutions to grant leave to senior doctors has been withdrawn. Teaching hospitals will now only be allowed to approve up to 89 days of leave for employees up to Grade 17.
Leave requests from Senior Registrars to Professors will be approved directly by officials of the Health Department.
Similarly all types of leave for General Cadre doctors from Grade 18 to 20 will also require approval from the Health Department.
However the authority to approve maternity leave and iddat leave for female doctors and staff will remain with the respective hospital administrations.
Previously heads of hospitals had the authority to approve up to 89 days of leave for all doctors and government employees but under the new orders this authority has been significantly restricted.
Federal govt announces public for 2026
Earlier, the federal government announced public and optional holidays for the year 2026, the Cabinet Secretariat issued a notification in this regard.
The Cabinet Division released the full holiday schedule, which covers national days, Islamic occasions, and minority festivals.
According to the notification, the first public holiday of the year was fall on Kashmir Day on February 5.
Pakistan Day will be observed on March 23, Monday. Eidul Fitr holidays will be on March 21, 22, and 23. Labour Day will be observed on May 1, followed by Youm-e-Takbeer on May 28.
Eidul Azha holidays will be from May 27 to 29. Public holidays will also be observed on 9th and 10th Muharram, falling on June 24 and 25.
Pakistan’s Independence Day will be marked on August 14, Friday. Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) will be observed on August 25, Tuesday.
Allama Iqbal Day will fall on November 9, Monday. December 25 will be a public holiday on Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday and Christmas.
December 26 will be a holiday only for the Christian community. Bank holidays will be observed on January 1 and July 1.
