ISLAMABAD: A widow has succeeded in receiving pensionary benefits of her late husband after 10 years due to intervention of the federal ombudsman.

The widow of late Mohammad Latif, who worked as a driver with National Trust for the Disabled (NTD) filed a complaint against Ministry of Human Rights through the mobile application of Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat (WMS) for inordinate delay in payment of her dues admissible under the Prime Minister’s Assistance Package.

She stated that her husband died during service in 2014 and she was entitled to receive full pay and allowances till the age of her husband’s superannuation.

In her complaint, she stated that her repeated visits, spread over many years, to NTD and the Ministry of Human Rights failed to get lawful entitlements released to her. She requested the federal ombudsman to order the department concerned to release her dues.

The federal ombudsman took up the complaint and summoned high officials of NTD – which has been merged with the Directorate General of Special Education - and the Ministry of Human Rights.

In their replies, the two departments highlighted that the widow’s dues including the senior scale promotion benefits have not been paid due to shortage of funds.

Representatives of the directorate and the Ministry of Human Rights made written commitments that her case is being sent to the Finance Division for provision of funds.

After taking into consideration the facts of the case, the Federal Ombudsman directed relevant officials to make the payment to the complainant within 45 days. The case was vigorously pursued by the federal ombudsman and ultimately all dues were paid to her.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2023