Islamabad Police announced that, beginning in 2026, every officer and staff member must receive a designated weekly rest day, a move meant to add structure to duty schedules and guarantee time off duty.
Under this rule, the weekly rest is treated separately from ordinary leave, so the rest day will not be deducted from an employee's leave balance.
The policy also lists situations where personnel may apply for leave, covering medical needs, marriage, religious pilgrimages, competitive exams and job interviews.
Leave for marriage varies by gender: female officers can take one month, while male staff are entitled to ten days.
Religious travel is addressed as well, with 45 days allocated for Hajj and 21 days for Umrah and other pilgrimages.
By formalising weekly rest and distinguishing it from special leave, the new framework aims to organise duty schedules and let officers reserve their leave for specific personal or official reasons.
The policy encompasses a broad range of circumstances that may require time away, such as family events, health issues and professional opportunities.
Overall, the 2026 arrangements set clearer guidelines for managing work hours and time off, seeking a more orderly duty system while protecting officers' rest periods and approved leave.
