Ombudsman for prioritising expats complaints

Emphasises expediting the resolution of public complaints to ensure timely relief to public

LAHORE:

Punjab Ombudsman Maj (retd) Azam Suleman Khan has said the complaints of expatriates should be resolved on a priority basis.

Presiding over a quarterly meeting held at his office on Wednesday to review the performance of advisers and consultants of regional offices across Punjab, he said that if the complaints were not relevant, then plaintiffs should be properly guided about the appropriate forum so that they may approach it for legal relief.

The ombudsman directed that final orders related to public complaints should be issued within 24 hours, adding that a monthly performance report be submitted to the head office by the 5th of each month to assess the performance. The ombudsman emphasised expediting the resolution of public complaints to ensure timely relief to the public.

“The office of the Chief Provincial Commissioner for Children is an important forum to ensure the timely resolution of complaints relating to child abuse and this would help to promote a child-friendly society,” he noted, adding that the Office of the Punjab ombudsman has been serving as a mediator to provide individuals with access to justice, promoting trust and confidence in the government institutions.

The meeting expressed satisfaction with the 24/7 helpline 1050 facility which guides and assists people in obtaining relief.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2023.