Ombudsman launches dedicated unit for climate justice

Provincial Ombudsman Sindh Muhammad Sohail Rajput has launched a dedicated Climate & Disaster Justice Unit (CDJU) to improve justice, accountability and inclusive public service delivery in disaster-prone areas. The unit will begin operations immediately from the Ombudsman’s Secretariat.

Director Coordination Imdad Hussain Siddiqui has been given an additional charge of the CDJU director in recognition of his extensive experience in coordination, public service delivery and disaster risk governance.

The CDJU will serve as a fast-track redress forum for complaints stemming from inaction, mismanagement, delays or corruption in disaster preparedness, response and rehabilitation processes. It will particularly focus on ensuring that affected individuals and communities received timely compensation, access to essential amenities and protection of their fundamental rights during both natural and human-induced crises.

Beyond grievance redress, the unit aims at building inclusive partnerships with United Nations agencies, NGOs, humanitarian actors, civil society organisations (CSOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) to improve outreach, raise public awareness and promote transparency.

It will also work closely with key government departments to ensure alignment with Sindh’s disaster and climate policies. Through research, advocacy, policy monitoring and capacity building, the CDJU is poised to strengthen disaster governance and reinforce the Ombudsman’s role as a neutral and accessible platform for climate and disaster justice.

This initiative reflects the Sindh Ombudsman’s firm commitment to institutional reform, human dignity, and prompt and free delivery of administrative and social justice to the most vulnerable and marginalised segments of society.