President urges need to make institution of Ombudsman more effective

ISLAMABAD : President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the need to make the institution of Ombudsman more effective by amending the existing laws so as to provide expeditious relief to the common man in resolving their grievances.  Addressing the Federal Ombudsmen conference in Islamabad Tuesday, the President also directed the Federal Ombudsmen to enhance their outreach to remote areas of the country. The President 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 conference was attended by Federal Ombudsman, Syed Tahir Shahbaz, Federal Tax Ombudsman, Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera, and Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace, Kashmala Tariq, Banking Mohtasib Pakistan, Muhammad Kamran Shahzad and Federal Insurance Ombudsman, Dr. Muhammad Khawar Jameel.  While addressing the conference, the President 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” so as to more effectively safeguards the rights of women. Banking Mohtasib Pakistan, Muhammad Khurram Shahzad, informed the conference that the Mohtasib had amicably resolved 10,324 cases out of 15,639 during 2019.  Federal Insurance Ombudsman, Dr. Muhammad Khawar Jameel, briefed the conference about the initiatives taken by his organization during 2019. While appreciating the role and contribution of Ombudsmen in providing speedy justice, the President congratulated them and expressed the hope that they would continue their efforts to help the people against administrative injustices.