Ombudsman offices for merged districts planned

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Ombudsman Secretariat has drawn up plans to set up regional offices in merged districts to help the people with filing complaints in native areas and get relief.

This was stated by Syed Jamaluddin Shah, Provincial Ombudsman while talking to a 20-member delegation from the Centre for Peace and Development Institutes (CPDI) that visited the Provincial Ombudsman Secretariat on Wednesday to get familiarized with the role and objectives of the institution, said a press release.

He said that over 5,000 complaints had been received by the Provincial Ombudsman Secretariat for address and there was a notable increase this year in the tally.Syed Jamaluddin Shah highlighted the recent establishment of regional offices in Abbottabad, Dera Ismail Khan and Swat. He said these offices had facilitated easy access for the complainants to lodge grievances close to their homes instead of visiting the secretariat in Peshawar.

The ombudsman emphasized the role played by investigation officers, advisors, and consultants while ensuring adherence to the Ombudsman Act of 2010 with the implementation of the verdicts on the case.

“We receive full cooperation from the KP government departments,” he added, explaining that departments had designated focal persons to handle ombudsman cases and oversee their proper implementation.

Syed Jamaluddin Shah praised CPDI for its contributions to promoting good governance.Johar Ali Shah, Secretary for the Ombudsman Secretariat, highlighted the working of the institution.

The CPDI representative was working to enhance citizens’ participation in governance, particularly through projects aimed at strengthening local government, building civil society organizations’ capacity, and promoting women’s rights.