Punjab Issues New Rules for Approval of 89 Holidays – What Changed in Government Leave Policy

The Government of Punjab has just rolled out updated rules for approving “89 holidays” for medical staff in provincial hospitals — a move set to reshape how leave is granted in public sector health facilities. These changes aim to improve transparency and align leave approvals with workforce needs, influencing thousands of doctors and healthcare workers across Punjab. Many details are confirmed from the official notification and multiple top 10 Google sources.

Aspect	Details
Authority	Punjab Health Department
Subject	Approval of up to 89 holidays / leaves
Employees Covered	Doctors, medical staff & hospital employees
Hospitals’ Power	Approve leave up to Grade 17
Health Dept Power	Approves senior and grade 18–20 leaves
Maternity Leave	Remains with hospitals
Notification Source	Official government circular/news media
Effective Date	February 20, 2026

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What Are the New Leave Rules?

Under the newly issued rules by the Punjab Health Department, teaching hospitals and medical institutions will now have limited authority when approving extended leaves for staff. Previously, hospital heads could approve up to 89 days of leave for most grades. However, the revised rules centralise the approvals for senior medical personnel at the provincial level.

https://pshealthpunjab.gov.pk/

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Updated Authority to Approve Leave

This section explains the core changes introduced in the new policy.

Only hospital administrations can approve leave up to 89 days for employees up to Grade 17.
Leave requests for senior registrars, associate professors to full professors require direct approval from the Punjab Health Department.
General cadre doctors in Grades 18–20 must now submit leave requests to department officials for approval.
Maternity leave and iddat (post-partum) leave for female doctors and staff remain under hospital control.

The intent is to ensure senior medical staff availability and oversight in key public health centres.

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Why the Government Made This Change?

Punjab officials say the update is meant to bring transparency, better workforce management, and consistent leave handling across the province’s health sector. By centralising approval for senior positions, the government aims to reduce administrative fragmentation and ensure staffing needs in busy hospitals are met effectively.

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for 89 Days Leave

Employee submits leave application via hospital HR portal.
For Grades Hospital HR reviews and approves directly.
For senior doctors & higher grades – HR forwards application to Health Department.
Health Department official reviews and makes final decision.
Applicant receives approval or further instructions.

Who Is Affected Most by These Rules?

Senior doctors, general cadre physicians in higher grades, and hospital administrators will feel the biggest impact of this policy shift. While hospitals retain some authority for maternity and short leaves, department-level approval adds a new layer for long-term or extended leave requests.

What This Means for Healthcare Services

Better oversight of healthcare staff availability during peak periods.
Reduced bottlenecks in hospital administrative leave decisions.
Possible delays in leave approvals due to higher-level reviews.
Stronger central tracking and records for extended leaves across Punjab.

Officials’ Statements & Public Reaction

Officials say this change responds to concerns over staff shortages and inconsistent leave approval processes across districts. While some medical staff support the clarification, others worry about potential delays in emergency leave approvals. Multiple verified media outlets and official government spokespeople confirm the policy was published through authorised channels.

Official Reference & Link

For the original government notification and official details, visit the authenticated page on the Punjab Health Department or related G

Helpline & Contact Information

Punjab Health Department: Search official website for contacts
General Enquiries (suggested): Contact local hospital HR or health department
For complaints or follow-ups, contact hospital administration first and then Punjab Health Department officials

Conclusion

The Punjab government’s revised leave approval rules for up to 89 days mark a major administrative change for healthcare institutions. With centralisation of senior leave approvals, the policy aims to standardise processes, improve workforce management, and enhance healthcare delivery in the province. All changes are based on official government notifications and top reliable news sources.

FAQs

1. Who can approve up to 89 days of leave under the new rules?

Hospital administrations can approve up to 89 days of leave for employees up to Grade 17; higher grades need departmental approval.

2. Does the rule affect maternity or iddat leave?

No. Maternity and iddat leave for female staff remain with hospital authority.

3. Why did the government change the leave approval system?

The revision aims to streamline processes and ensure adequate staffing in public health services.

4. Where can I find the official policy notification?

The official notice is referenced on the Government of Punjab Health Department sites and reported by leading news media; check the link provided above for detail