ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Captain (Retd) Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry has introduced a comprehensive leave policy for the federal capital’s police force, making one weekly day off mandatory and setting new leave entitlements for religious obligations, examinations, marriage and personnel serving away from their home districts.
The policy has been ordered into immediate effect across all divisions. It aims to reduce administrative delays, delegate leave approval powers to different ranks and improve the welfare of police personnel.
Under the new rules, all police officers and personnel will receive one mandatory day off each week, either Saturday or Sunday. Personnel belonging to far-flung districts will also be eligible for additional leave after completing specified periods of duty.
Those serving away from their home districts can avail seven days of leave after every 45 days of duty. Personnel from remote regions are eligible for 14 days of leave after every 90 days of continuous service.
Leave approval powers delegated to officers
The policy delegates authority to approve casual leave across different ranks to facilitate the timely processing of applications.
Station House Officers (SHOs) can approve up to three days of casual leave for constables and head constables, while Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) are authorised to grant up to five days of casual leave.
Superintendents of Police (SPs) can sanction up to three days of casual leave for personnel from constable to inspector rank. Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) can approve up to three days of casual leave for inspectors and SHOs.
Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), including the DIG Headquarters, have been authorised to sanction all categories of leave for personnel from constable to inspector rank. The IGP will retain approval authority for leave requests submitted by DSPs and SPs.
Special leave for religious obligations, marriage and examinations
The new policy sets specific leave entitlements for religious duties and personal and professional commitments.
Police personnel will be entitled to 45 days of leave for Hajj, while 21 days will be allowed for Umrah and religious visits (Ziyarat).
Male police personnel will receive 10 days of marriage leave, while female personnel will be entitled to one month of leave for marriage.
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Personnel appearing in the Central Superior Services (CSS) and Provincial Civil Services (PCS) examinations can avail up to 20 days of leave. The policy also allows 15 days of leave for job interviews.
Limits on leave quotas
The policy sets a limit on the number of personnel who can be on certain types of leave at the same time. Casual leave cannot exceed 10 per cent of a unit’s total strength at any given time, while Ex-Pakistan leave is capped at three per cent of the total force strength.
The IGP has directed departmental heads and branch supervisors to ensure strict compliance with the new policy and its implementation across the force with immediate effect.
