Prompt compliance of Ombudsman’s orders urged

LAHORE : Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi emphasised the pivotal role of the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat as a court for the underprivileged, dedicated to delivering justice to the marginalised.

Addressing a press conference at the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat in provincial capital, Qureshi announced that on Sept 11, during the general assembly meeting of Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), Federal Ombudsman Pakistan was unanimously elected as the President of AOA - a prestigious honour for Pakistan.

He urged investigation officers and heads of federal government institutions to promptly implement the Ombudsman's decisions. He said this unique institution in Pakistan stands out by ensuring case resolutions within 60 days. In the year 2022, the Secretariat received 164,174 complaints, successfully resolving 157,770 of them. Looking ahead to 2023, the institution has already received over 183,000 complaints, with a commitment to resolving up to 195,000 by year-end.

Highlighting the efficiency of Federal Ombudsman Secretariat, Qureshi said that the Secretariat is resolving 15,000 to 18,000 cases each month. Online services have also been implemented to enhance accessibility for the public. Recognising expats as valuable contributors to the nation's economy, Qureshi revealed ongoing efforts for a one-window operation to address their concerns. Last year, 143,000 complaints from overseas Pakistanis were resolved, with a projected resolution of over 190,000 this year. Responding to queries, the Ombudsman highlighted the swift handling of cases. Any complaint received is forwarded to the relevant agency within 48 hours, aiming to provide relief to the complainant.