WAFAQI MOHTASIB(OMBUDSMAN), PAKISTAN 

Speedy justice by federal ombudsman builds confidence of people in the institution – Governor Punjab-Pakistan

Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar, Governor of the Punjab said that provision of speedy justice to people by the Federal Ombudsman enhanced their confidence in this institution. While lauding the performance of Federal Ombudsman, he said that provision of free of cost justice in a speedy manner that too at the door steps of people is the hallmark this institution and such a system lowers the pressure on the judicial system. He was speaking at an awareness seminar of Federal Ombudsman held at Governor House in Lahore. 

Governor Punjab Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar while acknowledging the performance of Federal Ombudsman said that the disposal of 99 percent cases within a mere span of 60 days and with the impressive 95% implementation rate was a remarkable achievement and the fact that Wafaqi Mohtasib could entertain complaints even against agencies which were partially owned by the government had enormously widened its scope in terms of redressal of public grievances against federal agencies. Nevertheless, he stressed on the dire need for creating awareness among the people, especially in the far flung areas of country, about the role of Wafaqi Mohtasib so that maximum people could benefit from this institution. He also appreciated the performance of provincial Ombudsman of Punjab.

1.5 Million Complaints resolved by the Office of Federal Ombudsman since its establishment in 1983 -Syed Tahir Shahbaz

Federal Ombudsman Syed Tahir Shahbaz, during his welcome address at the seminar, informed the audience that the office of Ombudsman, since its establishment in 1983, had been providing relief to the common citizens of Pakistan and since then it has resolved 1.5 million cases. In recent years,  more than 70,000 cases were being resolved yearly by filing application against the maladministration of any federal government agency in very simple way. And to facilitate to complainants further , a mobile-app had been launched through which people could file their complaints from all over Pakistan as well abroad.

He informed the audience that the law of Wafaqi Mohtasib makes it a legal binding on the institution to dispose of a case within 60 days and an appeal in 45 days. He further said that under the integrated complaints resolution system, the public complaints pending with the federal agencies are automatically transferred to the Ombudsman’s office if they remain unresolved for more than 30 days