KARACHI, April 16: The Office of the Federal Ombudsman, during the outgoing calendar year (2005), investigated 14,602 complaints and took decision on 10,713 (73 per cent) cases.

Out of 10,713 decided complaints, relief was provided in 8,934 (84 per cent) cases while 1,779 cases were rejected to be not substantiated.

This has been reflected in the Annual Report 2005 presented by the outgoing Wafaqi Mohtasib.

The report speaks of the fact that in pursuance of procedures laid down in the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Investigation and Disposal of Complaints) Regulation 2003, out of the 10,713 complaints, four per cent were decided within three months, 28 per cent within six months, 37 per cent within one year and 31 per cent in periods slightly in excess of one year.

Of the 3,889 complaints being carried over from the year under report (2005) to the next calendar year (2006), 1,277 complaints were related to the year 2004 and 2,390 to 2005. Only an insignificant number of 222 related to years prior to the year 2004.

Break up of disposal of complaints after detailed investigations in 2005, were Headquarters Islamabad 2203, Regional Offices Lahore 2082, Karachi 1408, Peshawar 2697, Quetta 144, Sukkur 874, Multan 498, Faisalabad 658 and D.I. Khan 155.

The break up of complaints pending as on January 1, 2006, is Headquarters Islamabad 879, Lahore 585, Karachi 784, Peshawar 529, Quetta 40, Sukkur 353, Multan 401, Faisalabad 209 and D.I. Khan 109.

The report further spells out that the pendency over the four years (2002-2005) has declined from 22,219 in 2002 (55 per cent) to 15,617 in 2003 (41 per cent), 8,333 in 2004 (27 per cent) and 3889 in 2005 (27 per cent).

During the year, 1,079 decisions of the president against such representations were received as per Article 32 of the President Order of 1983.

Of the total number, the accepted representations were 320 (30 per cent), while those which were rejected numbered 718 (66 per cent).

This amounts to a general endorsement of the efficient functioning of the Office, known to many as “poor man’s court”, being inexpensive, prompt, flexible and complainant friendly.

The report also talks of a follow-up of the implementation status of recommendations in each complaint, which is termed essential to ensure the credibility of the office and the satisfaction of the complainants.

During the year under report in 4,316 complaints, implementation of recommendations was outstanding with implementation in 3,277 complaints (76 per cent) cases.—APP