Amends made to strengthen KP Ombudsman office

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has amended the Provincial Ombudsman Act 2010 to strengthen the ombudsman institution for good governance.A press release said the KP Assembly passed the Ombudsman (Amendments) Bill recently which re-delegated powers to the Provincial Ombudsman.

Several important clauses previously removed from the Ombudsman Act 2010 have now been reinstated with these amendments.Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur played a role in reassigning powers to strengthen government institutions.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Aftab Alam worked as well to support the idea of giving more powers to the Ombudsman’s office.Provincial Ombudsman Syed Jamal Ud Din Shah thanked the chief minister and the law minister for their support in amending the act to restore and expand the powers of the Ombudsman Office.

He mentioned that additional regional offices would be set up at the divisional level and

summaries would be sent to the chief minister for approval.It is essential to set up more offices for the convenience of complainants, allowing them to lodge complaints closer to their districts, he explained.

The new section of law in the Provincial Ombudsman Act, of 2010 demonstrates a clear understanding of the critical role placed in the ombudsman in addressing citizen grievancesand promoting administrative justice.These changes are expected to enhance the institution’s ability to investigate complaints and resolve disputes without any undue pressure.