100pc complaints addressed by ombudsman in 2023

LAHORE: A function regarding the annual report of 2023 was held here on Thursday at the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab Lahore in which intellectuals, academicians, anchor-persons, columnists and analysts of Fairgroup participated.

Speaking at the event, Ombudsman Punjab Azam Suleman Khan (R) presented a comparative review of the annual report and presented data related to the performance of his department, especially in redressal of complaints related to the Police Department, Local Government and Education Department.

The ombudsman said that as a result of effective action on public complaints, the complainants and the government got a total relief of Rs22.504 billion. The ombudsman said that the number of complaints received and disposed of in the year 2023 is more than the number of complaints in any previous year which is a proof of the growing confidence of the public in the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab.

He said that in the year 2023, 7,212 complaints were received against police, 5,980 local government, 5,678 revenue, 2,531 primary and secondary health care, 1,961 school education and 1,563 complaints against district administration.

Meanwhile, on the orders of the Ombudsman Office, 119 civilians have also been provided jobs in government departments under Rule 17A of the Punjab Civil Servants (Appointment and Conditions of Employment) Rules, 1974 in the year 2023.

Ombudsman Punjab Major Azam Suleman Khan (R) also informed the participants about the details of disposal of government land worth billions of rupees. He said that as a result of the public awareness campaign during his tenure, record complaints increased and these complaints were redressed within 45 to 60 days. However, the resolution rate of these complaints remained 100 percent while the implementation of complaints remained up to 95pc which is an exemplary measure.