ISLAMABAD: Federal Ombudsman Syed Tahir Shahbaz on Tuesday directed all government departments/agencies to appoint a focal person each to correspond with his secretariat.

He asked investigation officers of the ombudsman secretariat to recommend disciplinary action in those cases where serious maladministration had been found. He directed them to organise meetings with major government agencies to address issues so that maximum relief could be provided to people.

He expressed satisfaction with the disposal of complaints. The ombudsman was chairing a meeting of investigating officers and other officers of the secretariat to review progress of the investigation work during the third quarter of 2021.

Secretary Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui gave a number of suggestions to improve the investigation work.

Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi, senior adviser in the ombudsman secretariat, said 28,669 cases were registered and 27,564 of them were disposed of in the third quarter of 2021.

Pir Baksh Jamali, senior adviser implementation, said 9,812 cases were implemented during the period.

The ombudsman said provision of speedy and free of cost justice to the citizens was our priority; therefore, it is necessary that pending cases are cleared. He ordered to establish facilitation desks for complainants at all the regional offices.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2021