How many hours can your employer ask you to work, and when should you be paid overtime? In Pakistan, the answer depends on where you work: factories, shops and commercial establishments, and other workplaces are covered by different laws, which also vary by province. This guide gives a general overview and shows how to track your hours with our Working Hours Calculator. It is not legal advice.
Which laws apply?
- Factories: covered by factories legislation, adopted and amended by each province.
- Shops and commercial establishments: covered by provincial shops and establishments laws.
- Other employment: governed by contracts, company policy and specific sector rules.
After the 18th Amendment, labour matters are largely provincial, so details differ between Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Islamabad.
Common features
Labour laws commonly include:
- A maximum number of normal working hours per day and per week, often around 8 to 9 hours a day and 48 hours a week
- A rest or meal break after a set number of hours
- A weekly rest day
- Higher pay for overtime beyond normal hours, often at double the ordinary rate for covered workers
- Limits on total overtime
Check the current law for your province and workplace for exact figures.
Office jobs
Many office employees work under contracts that set hours and may not provide paid overtime, offering compensatory leave instead. Read your appointment letter and employee handbook.
Track your hours
Keep a daily record of start time, end time and breaks. Total them weekly to see regular and overtime hours. If overtime is paid, compare your record with your payslip. For calculation steps, see how to calculate hours worked.
Calculating overtime pay
Find your hourly rate from your monthly salary, then apply the overtime multiplier. The Hourly ↔ Monthly Salary calculator converts monthly pay to an hourly rate.
If something is wrong
Raise it with your supervisor or HR, keeping records. Workers can also approach the provincial labour department. Many workers also check their deductions, such as tax, with the FBR Salary Tax Calculator 2026-27.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours a week can I be made to work in Pakistan?
Labour laws for covered workplaces commonly set around 48 normal hours a week; check your province’s current law.
Is overtime pay compulsory?
For workers covered by factory and shop laws, overtime beyond normal hours usually must be paid at a higher rate.
Do labour laws differ by province?
Yes. Since the 18th Amendment, provinces have their own labour laws.