Public Awareness Seminar at Governor House Lahore
Lahore, the 13th November, 2019 PRESS RELEASE Muhammad Sarwar, Governor of the Punjab has said that provision of speedy justice to people by the Federal Ombudsman enhanced the confidence of people on this institution. He said that provision of justice in a free of cost and speedy manner at the door step of the people is the hallmark of the federal ombudsman. He lauded performance of the Federal Ombudsman. He was speaking at an awareness seminar of Federal Ombudsman at Governor House Lahore. He said that provision of speedy justice by the Federal Ombudsman lowered the pressure on the judicial system. He said that there was a dire need to create awareness among masses to disseminate the message of Wafaqi Mohtasib in provision of speedy and free of cost justice, especially in far flung areas so that maximum people could be benefited. He also lauded the performance of Provincial Ombudsman of the Punjab. Speaking high of the performance of the Federal Ombudsman, the Governor said the disposal of 99 percent cases within 60 days period was a remarkable achievement. Implementation ratio of 95 percent of Federal Ombudsman’s decisions was also laudable. He said that the Wafaqi Mohtasib catered to the public complaints against any agency with even one percent share of the government in it, which had widened its scope of functioning. During his welcome address, the Federal Ombudsman Syed Tahir Shahbaz said that this institution is providing relief to a common man since 1983 and had resolved nearly 1.5 million cases uptil now. He said that more than 70,000 cases were being resolved yearly. He said that this institution provided simplest way of filing application against maladministration of any federal government agency. He added that a Mobile App had been introduced through which any person can file his complaint in easy way, not only from the country but also from abroad. He said that as per law, the Mohtasib has to dispose of a case within 60 days and appeal within 45 days. Under an integrated complaints resolution system, the public complaints pending with the agencies were automatically transferred to the Ombudsman office if they remained unresolved for more than 30 days on agencies postal. He added that at present 178 departments have been integrated with the CMIS system of federal ombudsman. He also apprised the audience about the comprehensive reports compiled by his institution on various subjects of public interest including child abuse and state of prisoners etc. He further added that the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat established one window facilitation desks at all international airports of Pakistan through OPF to facilitate overseas Pakistanis Representatives of 12 federal agencies remain at these desks present round the clock. He also mentioned the introduction of E-pension system in all federal government agencies which resolve a long outstanding issue of provision of timely pension to the pensioner.
Besides, he said, a National Commissioner for Children had also been appointed who serve to protect children’s rights until a Children Mohtasib is appointed to address the complaints of the children below 18 years.