Legal Help · Published July 17, 2026
Overtime Laws in Pakistan
Extra hours aren't just extra effort — the law says they're worth double, with a real ceiling on how much can be asked.
Quick answer
Under the Factories Act 1934, normal working hours are capped at 9 hours a day / 48 hours a week. Anything beyond that is overtime, owed at double your ordinary rate. Total weekly hours (including overtime) can't exceed 60. Work on your weekly rest day or a public holiday also counts as overtime and is owed at the same double rate.
The framework, layer by layer
The line is 9 hours a day, 48 hours a week
Under the Factories Act 1934, an adult worker's normal hours are capped at 9 hours a day and 48 hours a week — anything beyond that is overtime, not just extra unpaid effort.
Overtime pay is double, not a small bump
Hours worked beyond the standard limit are owed at double the ordinary rate of pay (200% of the normal wage) — this isn't a discretionary bonus, it's the statutory rate.
There's still an overall weekly ceiling
Total hours, including overtime, can't exceed 60 hours in a week for adult workers under the Factories Act — meaning overtime itself is effectively capped at around 12 extra hours a week, not unlimited.
Rest days and holidays count as overtime too
Work performed on your weekly rest day or a public holiday is treated as overtime and owed at the same double rate — an employer can't simply schedule you on your day off at your normal pay rate.
Why "I'm salaried" doesn't automatically mean no overtime
A common misconception, addressed directly in guidance from LegalPK, is that a fixed monthly salary automatically excludes overtime obligations. That's not accurate under the statutory framework — the hour limits and double-pay rules apply based on hours actually worked, not the pay structure alone, for employees covered by the Factories Act or the equivalent Shops and Establishment Ordinance provisions. Whether a specific role is exempt (some supervisory or managerial positions can be) depends on the actual nature of the job, not just how it's labeled.
Keeping your own simple log of actual hours worked — especially on weeks that run noticeably long — is the single most useful thing you can do if an overtime dispute ever comes up, since employer records aren't always complete or favorable to the employee.
What Wakeel.org can help with
Explaining the overtime hour limits and pay rate rules, in plain English or Urdu.
What it cannot do
It cannot calculate your specific overtime pay or access employer records — a licensed labour law advocate can help with that.
Frequently asked questions
What is the legal overtime rate in Pakistan?
Double the ordinary rate of pay (200% of your normal wage) for hours worked beyond 9 hours a day or 48 hours a week under the Factories Act 1934 — this also applies to work performed on a weekly rest day or public holiday.
How many hours can I be required to work in a week in Pakistan?
Normal working hours are capped at 48 hours a week (9 hours a day), with total hours including overtime not exceeding 60 hours a week for adult workers — meaning overtime is effectively capped at around 12 extra hours weekly.
Do I get overtime pay for working on my day off?
Yes. Work performed on your designated weekly rest day, or on a public holiday, is treated as overtime under the law and should be paid at the double overtime rate, not your normal wage.
Does the Factories Act overtime rule apply to office jobs?
The Factories Act 1934 specifically covers factory workers; office and commercial establishment employees are typically covered by the West Pakistan Shops and Establishment Ordinance 1969 instead, which has its own overtime provisions — check which law applies to your specific workplace.
Can Wakeel.org calculate my overtime pay?
Wakeel.org can explain how the overtime rate and hour limits generally work. It cannot calculate your specific overtime pay or access your employer's records — a licensed labour law advocate or your own pay records can help with that.
General educational information, not legal advice. See our full disclaimer.
Sources — check these directly to verify
Related reading
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Salary Not Paid: Employee Legal Rights in Pakistan
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Employment Contract in Pakistan: What Should It Include?
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Notice Period in Pakistan: Employee and Employer Rights
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Not being paid properly for overtime?
Ask Wakeel how the rules generally work — then verify with a licensed labour law advocate.