PHC moved against KP ombudsman’s appointment

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the provincial government, secretary Law and secretary Finance on a writ petition filed against the appointment of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ombudsman.

A two-member PHC bench comprising Justice SM Attique Shah and Justice Shakeel Ahmad heard the petition. Appearing before the court, the petitioner Ali Azeem Advocate said Jamaluddin Shah was appointed as provincial ombudsman in July 2021.

He argued that under the relevant rules, the provincial ombudsman was supposed to either serve for three years or his tenure ended after reaching 62 years of age.

The petitioner argued the incumbent provincial ombudsman reached 62 years of age in 2023.

However, he pointed out that the Provincial Ombudsman Act, 2010 was amended in 2022 to allow the official in question to continue working against his position, which he contended did not apply to him as he was appointed before the amendment to the law.

He said the provincial ombudsman had been holding his office illegally since January 23, 2023, adding that a letter was also written to the chief minister, but no action was taken.

The petitioner requested the court to issue orders for departmental action against the provincial ombudsman for continuing in office despite completing his term.

The petitioner said the official was illegally serving against this position so he should be stopped from doing so.

Issuing notices to the respondents, the court directed them to submit their replies.