Pakistan needs a justice-oriented society : Federal Ombudsman

Lahore : Federal Ombudsman Syed Tahir Shehbaz  said on Thursday there was a dire need to set up a justice-oriented society and the ombudsman office was committed to resolve complaints  in 60 days.

He said this while addressing a National Consultation on “Ombudsman’s Role in Redressing the Grievances of Vulnerable Persons- Bridging Gaps” organized by National Commissioner for Children, working under the  Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, at a local hotel on Thursday.

He said, there were so many initiatives taken by the ombudsman office including outreach programme to aware the people about their rights and enjoy facility of free of cost justice by the ombudsman.

He directed the advisors and senior officers of Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat to provide relief to all those who were aggrieved by the injustices of the administrative system.

The Ombudsman said that common man was suffering immeasurably due to mal-administration of the government departments, therefore, it was a solemn duty of all those associated with this institution, particularly the dealing advisors and officers to attend to their grievances with commitment and religious zeal.

He said that Ombudsman institution was the only forum providing relief to ordinary citizens without any cost.

He emphasized the role of regional offices in providing relief to people at their doorstep. He said that he would soon be introducing fundamental measures for further improving the operations of the institution for ensuring timely dispensation of justice to complainants.

Syed Tahir Shahbaz said that he would take fresh initiatives for putting in place an efficient and dedicated team for ensuring relief  to the common man.”Ombudsman office is also working for the release of prisoners after paying their fines who are facing jails in petty offences while government departments have also been asked to establish an internal complaint cell to redress complaints of the employees” he added.

He said that officers of ombudsman would visit different cities to aware the people about the use of ombudsman office but issues were everywhere and it was the collective responsibility of all the departments and NGOs to make effort for redressing complaints of the citizen.

On the occasion, former federal minister and Senator , Chairman National Committee on Children/Commissioner for Children SM Zafar also stressed the need for making a justice-oriented society which had human respect.

He said: “Our constitution also guaranteed of fundamental rights but we are far behind now and a long distance to be travelled in this regard”. “Courts are not sufficient to provide justice but every concerned department will have to play its responsibilities to set up a justice-oriented society”, he added.

SM Zafar said that media should also focus on social evils and highlight the issues of vulnerable persons.