slug: “islamabad-police-weekly-off-leave-policy-october-2026”
category: “National News”
headline: “Islamabad Police Leave Rules Give Weekly Day Off”
seo_title: “Islamabad Police Leave Rules Give Weekly Day Off”
meta_description: “Islamabad Police have a new leave policy guaranteeing every officer a weekly day off, with rules for marriage, exam and remote-posting leave.”
focus_keyphrase: “Islamabad Police leave”
image_url: “hourly-2134-islamabad-police-weekly-off-leave-policy-october-2026.webp”
image_credit: “The News”
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Islamabad Police Leave Rules Give Weekly Day Off
Islamabad Police have introduced a new leave policy that guarantees every officer and official at least one day of weekly rest. The policy, issued by the Islamabad inspector general on October 23, replaces all earlier instructions, including the leave policy from 2022.
The change aims to ease long-standing difficulty in getting leave approved. For the first time, the weekly day off is set out as a clear rule for all personnel, and it will not count as leave.
What the Islamabad Police leave rules mean
Under the new rules, at least one day of weekly rest must be given to every officer and official. That rest day sits outside the leave account, so staff do not have to spend leave days to get a break from duty.
Officers and officials from remote districts have a choice. Staff from remote districts of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan and the former tribal areas, may opt for one day of weekly rest, or seven days of rest after every 45 days of duty, or 14 days of rest after every 90 days of duty.
That option matters in practice. Officers posted far from home often face long travel times, so a block of rest days can be more useful than a single day off each week. The policy lets those staff pick the pattern that fits their posting.
Marriage, exam and medical leave
The policy also sets clear limits for other types of leave. Male police employees will ordinarily get 10 days of marriage leave, while female personnel will get one month, subject to approval by the competent authority.
Police personnel appearing in Central Superior Services or Provincial Civil Service examinations can get up to 20 days of leave. Those appearing in interviews for such posts may receive up to 15 days, subject to approval.
Maternity, paternity and medical leave are also covered, with sanctioning powers delegated according to rank. The order sets out who can approve each type of leave, from station house officers up to the inspector general, so staff know where to apply.
Limits to keep units staffed
The policy places caps on how many staff can be away at once. No more than 10 per cent of personnel in a unit can take casual leave at the same time. The combined limit for earned leave and ex-Pakistan leave is 3 per cent of the strength of a unit or office.
Those caps protect day-to-day policing. A station cannot lose too many officers at once, even when individual leave claims are genuine.
The order also states a clear limit on the right itself. Leave cannot be claimed as a matter of right, and it may be refused or cancelled by the competent authority in the interest of the department or because of official needs.
Why the change was needed
Police work in the capital runs around the clock, and leave has often been hard to secure during busy periods. The new policy was prepared in consultation with officers of different ranks, and suggestions for further improvement have been invited through the proper channel.
The move fits a wider focus on police welfare in Islamabad. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also spoken about the F-9 Park upgrade in the capital and strengthening cybercrime policing. Feature Pakistan earlier reported Islamabad police encounter figures for this year, and the capital’s local polls schedule for December 20 will also place fresh demands on police staff in the coming weeks.
What happens next
The policy is now in force and supersedes earlier instructions. Officers can apply under the new delegation of powers, and units must plan rosters so that every member gets the weekly rest day. Further changes may follow if staff suggestions lead to amendments through the proper channel.
Does every Islamabad Police officer now get a weekly day off?
Yes. The new policy states that at least one day of weekly rest must be given to every officer and official, and it does not count as leave.
How much marriage leave is allowed?
Male employees ordinarily get 10 days, while female personnel get one month, subject to approval by the competent authority.
