President asks Federal Ombudsmen to expedite provision of justice

ISLAMABAD President Dr Arif Alvi has asked the Federal Ombudsmen to make the institution more effective and providing expeditious relief to the common man in resolving their grievances.

Addressing Federal Ombudsmen’s conference, the president said the Ombudsmen played a vital role in addressing the complaints of the people against administrative injustices.

The conference was attended by Federal Ombudsman, Syed Tahir Shahbaz, Federal Tax Ombudsman, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera, and Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace, Ms Kashmala Tariq, Banking Mohtasib Pakistan, Mr Muhammad Kamran Shahzad and Federal Insurance Ombudsman, Dr Muhammad Khawar Jameel.

President Alvi said that the institution of ombudsman had been doing a remarkable job in addressing the grievances of the people. He directed the Federal Ombudsmen to enhance their outreach to remote areas of the country so as the people could benefit of the speedy and free of cost justice being provided by them.

He advised the participants to launch a media campaign aiming to create awareness among people about the role of Ombudsmen in providing swift relief to the people.

The president also asked the Ombudsmen to digitalize their record and use latest technology tools that help in provision of speedy justice and promoting good governance.

Federal Ombudsman, Syed Tahir Shahbaz, gave a comprehensive presentation about the achievements of his organization. He informed the conference that the Ombudsman had disposed of 75,000 complaints during 2019 while 97% of the decisions had been implemented.

Federal Tax Ombudsman, Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera, briefed the conference that his institution had disposed of 2,633 cases out of 3,171 during 2019.

Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace, Ms. Kashmala Tariq, appraised the conference about the role of the institution in protecting the right of women.

She proposed amendment to the existing law “The Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010” to more effectively safeguards the rights of women.

Banking Mohtasib Pakistan, Muhammad Khurram Shahzad, informed the conference they amicably resolved 10,324 cases out of 15,639 during 2019.  Federal Insurance Ombudsman, Dr. Muhammad Khawar Jameel, briefed the conference about the initiatives in 2019.

While appreciating the role and contribution of Ombudsmen in providing speedy justice, the president hoped that they would continue their efforts to help the people against administrative injustices.