KARACHI, Nov 9: Sindh governor Mohammedmian Soomro has said that the institution of ombudsman as a watch against excesses committed by administrative departments has played an eceedingly important role and Sindh has been fortunate to have reputed personages at the helm of this institution during a decade of its existence.

He made these observations while speaking at a dinner hosted by provincial ombudsman, Justice (Rtd) Haziqul Khairi, here on Thursday night, in connection with the completion of the first decade of the institution of ombudsman (1991-2001) in Sindh.

He conghratulated Justice Haziqul Khairi and his predecessors on their collective contribution to an improved administrative environment in the province,

The institution of ombudsman, he said, had provided speedy and cheap relief to the public.

“It is only through good governance”, he said, “that a qualitative change can be brought about in the life of our masses, in the standards of living, the working and the quality of life.”

He was glad to note thatm the Sindh ombudsman had taken suo moto notices of various governmental actions time to time and added that this had been very constructive in creating the necessary momentum to propel long delayed matters towards their culmination.

“This institution keeps aconstant check on the lethargy of the provincial government departments which certainly need periodic, or in some cases, regular and even constant prodding to keep them on their toes,” Mr Soomro said.

He emphasised that the feelings of adversity that was sometimes generated between the provicial government departments and the ombudsman secretariat was not really justified as both parties were actually working for the same people-oriented cause.

Therefore, he continued, there should be close coordination, communication and a sense of trust between the ombudsman secretariat and the administrative departments.

“A positive approach will contribute to a more efficient interatcion between the two and improve administration for the public good”, he said.

He thanked the ombudsman for the opportunity to share the sense of achievement at the completion of the first decade of the august institution.

Earlier, the ombudsman welcomed the governor and gave a resume of the performance of the institution of ombudsman in the first decade of its existence in Sindh.—APP