04 July 2004	Sunday	15 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, July 3: Khan Yousuf Jamal, was on Saturday administered the oath as the new Ombudsman of Sindh. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan administered the oath at an impressive ceremony held at the Governor's House.

The chief minister, Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, was also present on the occasion.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended, among others, by provincial ministers, Chief Secretary, City Nazim Naimatullah, additional chief secretaries - Development, Local Government and Home - provincial secretaries and senior officials.

Later talking to reporters after the oath, Yusuf Jamal, said that as Ombudsman his all efforts would be focussed on serving the cause of aggrieved people through speedy dispensation of justice.

He said the line of distinction between the system of Muhtasib and Judiciary was that in case of Ombudsman, there was no need for the presence of a lawyer, nor the complainant was required to pay any fee.

He said that ever since the system of Muhtasib was established in 1991, a total of 90,000 applications were received. Some of them related to the federal government departments which were out of scope of Sindh Ombudsman.

He said out of 90,000 applications 70,000 were entertained and in 74 per cent cases relief was provided.

He said the people were not interested in mega problems involving high-level legal implications and complications. They are only concerned with their basic requirements, the rising cost of living, wheat flour, hoarding and such other problems.

He referred to condition of roads, the condition of mothers who cannot get their daughters wedded because they are not getting the pension of their late husbands as they have no approach. He pledged that he would made this access available in all such cases.-APP