Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa gets ombudsman


Express July 21, 2010

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has announced setting up of office of the provincial ombudsman here on Wednesday.

K-P Law Minister Barrister Arshad Abdullah told a press conference here that the ombudsman office was established through an ordinance called the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Ombudsman Ordinance 2010, which extends to the whole of province and shall come into force at once.

He said the aim of establishing the ombudsman office was to protect the rights of people and redress injustices done to any person due to maladministration.

He said it was a long awaited move in K-P since ombudsman offices in the three other provinces and at the Centre had already been working. He said the office’s main function was to check the misuse of power by government officials.

Abdullah said the ombudsman would enjoy powers equal to those of a high court judge, and would be appointed by the governor on the advice of the chief minister. The ombudsman could be a retired judge of the high court or a serving or retired civil servant of Grade 21 or above.

The ombudsman shall hold the office for four years and shall not be eligible for any extension in his tenure or for reappointment as provincial ombudsman under any circumstances.

Abdullah said the ombudsman may, on a complaint made by any aggrieved person, or on a reference by the governor or the government or the provincial assembly or on a motion of the Supreme Court or the high court made during the course of any proceedings before it, or of his own motion, undertake any investigation into any allegation of maladministration on the part of any agency.

The ombudsman shall also promote the rights and welfare of women and children.

The minister said that in case of complaint a person would have to submit affidavit and appear in person or be presented before the ombudsman, adding that there would be no need for hiring a lawyer in this regard. The cases will be decided in a period of three to four months and the ombudsman will have the powers to take suo motu action. The ombudsman would have the powers to order raids, seize record of the relevant office and take legal action in case of maladministration. Appeals against any decision of the ombudsman could be made to the governor.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2010.

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