(Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan)

Following my appointment as Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan on 27 December 2021, I have assumed the charge as the President of the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA). It is indeed a great honor and privilege to be part of the AOA fraternity. On this occasion, I pay sincere tributes to my distinguished predecessors who had very ably steered the work of this Association and to achieve the objectives that this Association has set for itself.

I have been associated with the Federal Ombudsman’s institution in Pakistan for over twelve years and fully appreciate the demands and responsibilities of the ombudsman ship and the role of the AOA in strengthening these institutions in the region and promotion of ombudsman ship in Asia and beyond.

The Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA) offers itself as an important platform to strengthen bilateral cooperation between our respective institutions as well as promoting ombudsmanship at the international level. Unfortunately, the AOA activities have remained suspended for some time in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The AOA Secretariat, however, has continued carrying out the ongoing activities and implementing the decisions taken by the Board of Directors and the General Assembly in the earlier sessions.

As President of the Association, I look forward to working closely with all member institutions in the pursuit of our shared goals and benefiting from their experience and the wise counsel in the work of the Asian Ombudsman Association.

Please accept my best wishes for your good health, happiness, well-being and continued success in the discharge of your onerous responsibilities.