On February 18, the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat in a recent official ceremony held in Karachi, awarded recognition certificates to several journalists and media professionals across Pakistan. The awards recognized their efforts to spread awareness about the public services provided by the Ombudsman’s office, which aims to ensure better governance and swift resolution of public grievances.
Amir Ahmad Shaikh, Provincial Coordinator for Sindh and Member In charge of the Federal Ombudsman Regional Office, distributed the certificates during the Karachi ceremony. Notable recipients included Senior Reporter Muhammad Ali Qazi from the Associated Press of Pakistan, Bureau Chief Imdad Soomro from Dharti TV, Columnist Rahmatullah Buriro, Photojournalist Muhammad Shoaib Khan, and Assistant Information Officer Ghulam Ali Asghar from the Press Information Department.
Speaking at the event, Amir Ahmad Shaikh highlighted the significant role of the Federal Ombudsman in addressing and resolving complaints against federal government departments and organizations. He noted that under Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi’s leadership, the Ombudsman has effectively resolved hundreds of thousands of cases, achieving a remarkable 97% implementation rate where complainants received relief.
Further insights were shared by Ghulam Sarwar Brohi, Regional Head of the Federal Ombudsman in Quetta, who emphasized the institution’s commitment to delivering swift and efficient justice. Over the past decade, the number of cases handled annually has surged from 200 to nearly 20,000, with a 100% implementation rate on the Ombudsman’s decisions.
The Federal Ombudsman has also expanded its reach by establishing regional offices and employing modern technology to facilitate complaint registration and resolution. Open courts in remote areas have particularly helped in making the justice system accessible to the public.
Brohi also mentioned the establishment of new offices in remote districts of Balochistan, such as Khuzdar, Kharan, Sibi, and Loralai, enhancing access to justice at the local populace’s doorstep despite ongoing security challenges in the province.
The media’s role was specifically acknowledged for its crucial part in disseminating information about the Federal Ombudsman’s services, enabling a broader segment of the population to benefit from this free and prompt system of justice.
