ISLAMABAD: After the phenomenal increase in petrol prices and consequent hike in fares of public transport, the federal ombudsman has decided to arrange online hearings for complainants to save people from the costly-travel expense.

For this purpose and in order to economise on fuel, Federal Ombudsman Ijaz Ahmad Qureshi has issued instructions to all investigation and implementation officers of the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat — both in the head office and 14 regional offices - that for the purpose of holding hearings, they should contact the complainants on whatsapp to not only save their time and travel expense but also enable them to get quick redressal of their problems.

Unlike the costly and cumbersome litigation process in formal courts, the federal ombudsman is unique in providing totally free-of-cost justice and resolution of complaints against the ministries and departments.

This new initiative of online hearings of complaints will further facilitate people to have their complaints resolved without spending a penny.

The ombudsman secretariat has developed a proper system for this online hearing process, under which people will have the facility to lodge complaints with the secretariat through the online process. All correspondence, communication including hearings, will be through whatsapp.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2022