Ombudsman Highlights Institutional Reforms
KARACHI – Federal Ombudsman Naveed Kamran Baloch on Monday emphasized the significance of augmenting institutional structure and informal resolution of disputes for ensuring speedy justice to aggrieved citizens. The federal ombudsman, while chairing a meeting during his visit to the Regional Office Karachi, also highlighted measures focused at strengthening the institutional structure of the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat.
Member in Charge Karachi and Provincial Coordinator for Sindh, Amir Ahmad Shaikh, officers in charge of regional offices at Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Sukkur, advisors, and other senior officers attended the meeting.
Capacity Building and Infrastructure Initiatives
Naveed Kamran said that the structure of registration, appraisal, implementation, informal resolution of disputes (IRD), and other sections of the Wafaqi Mohtasib after joining of senior competent officers, along with initiatives for capacity building, facilitation, and career development of officers and officials, provision of required human resources and office equipment, as well as incentives, were underway.
He stressed on resolution of certain cases through mediation and conciliation, saying that relevant rules provide for mediation and even a mediator could be appointed to resolve issues between two individuals through mediation.
Training and IRD Wing Establishment
The Wafaqi Mohtasib organized a comprehensive training on IRD for officers including from different regional offices to sensitize them about this approach, he informed, adding that efforts were underway for establishing an IRD wing named after former distinguished Wafaqi Mohtasibs.
Naveed Kamran said that work was also underway for framing a media policy and consultations will also be made with all relevant stakeholders in this regard for ensuring a constructive engagement of the media.
Performance Statistics and Key Complaints
Amir Ahmed Sheikh briefed that Regional Office Karachi has resolved 16,346 cases so far in the current year as compared to 37,812 cases disposed of in 2025, while the implementation ratio stood at 79 percent, well above the assigned target of 75 percent. He informed that more than half of the registered complaints (51 percent) were filed against K-Electric, and 31 percent involved Sui Southern Gas Company, while 9 percent of complaints were against NADRA.
Proposal for Mediators Panel
Amir Ahmad Shaikh proposed forming a panel of mediators comprising dignitaries and influentials to facilitate fast-track resolution of disputes involving two individuals or private sector organizations.
