KARACHI, April 16: The Provincial Ombudsman, Khan Yusuf Jamal, on Saturday presented the annual report 2004 of his institution to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan here on Saturday.

The report contains an appraisal of the role of the ombudsman in curbing maladministration and fostering good governance in the province.

Besides the mission statement, it contains a repertoire of the major initiatives undertaken during the preceding calendar year in the context of (i) amplifying the outreach of the institution so as to make access to justice more readily obtainable to the common man, (ii) improving the turnaround time in the redressal mechanism, and (iii) pursuing a continuous awareness program aimed at increasing the comfort level of the citizens in their relations with the administration, particularly with the public dealing departments and field organizations.

It may be recalled that, on August 6, 2004, Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, had approved a re-organization, expansion, and restructuring plan for the Sindh ombudsman’s institution, following which setting up of five new regional offices and a more functional hierarchy were to be inducted.

The ombudsman apprised the governor about the progress made in implementing his directive for dispensation of speedy administrative justice. The first of the new regional offices was inaugurated by the governor himself in Karachi central on November 8, 2004.

The second has been made operational in Nawabshah while three more planned for Dadu, Badin and Karachi east would become operational by the end of 2005.

The number of fresh cases admitted as admissible under the Ombudsman’s Act in 2004 was 1,534. Of these 944 were decided and remaining are under disposal.—APP