More KP Ombudsman regional offices soon

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ombudsman Syed Jamaluddin Shah has said that the the public grievances addressal body role will be expanded soon after Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur approves the establishment of more regional offices.

“This initiative is aimed at providing easier access for citizens to have their grievances addressed,” he said while chairing the monthly meeting here on Tuesday.The meeting was attended by secretariat staff, Secretary Jouhar Ali Shah, and Director General Barkatullah Khan.

The provincial ombudsman said the additional regional offices signified the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening the Ombudsman’s Secretariat and providing more facilities for its efficient operation.

He said after the recent amendments to the Ombudsman Act of 2010, the role of the Secretariat staff has become even more critical, with a focus on expediting the resolution of complaints.

Syed Jamaluddin Shah pointed to the increase in the number of complaints received, with 4,300 complaints registered last year-an unprecedented rise compared to previous years.During the meeting, he lauded the efforts of the Media Cell and the Information Technology Unit of the Ombudsman Secretariat for the timely publication of the 2023 annual report. He directed that preparations for the 2024 annual report should be completed.

Director Kamaran Akhunzada highlighted the rise in complaints, the role of regional offices, the impact of media campaigns, and the performance of the Implementation Wing.It was noted that 47 percent of the complaints were received in the recent time, marking the highest number of complaints and disposals in the history of the Ombudsman’s Secretariat.

The ombudsman attributed this success to the efforts of the Ombudsman staff, team members, and especially the effective role of the Media Cell. He commended the Media Cell for conducting a successful awareness campaign, even in remote areas, including the merged districts.

During the presentation, the Ombudsman directed that staff launch awareness campaigns at the local level. He instructed that the Ombudsman’s website and SMIS system be updated and made operational on a priority basis to ensure easier access for complainants.

The performance of regional offices was also discussed. All deputy registrars of regional offices were instructed to clear pending cases promptly, and the registration ratio of new complaints should be improved.

Ombudsman Syed Jamal Ud Din Shah emphasized the urgent need to operationalize regional offices in Kohat, Mardan, Bannu, Khyber and Bajaur.Currently, the residents of these areas face challenges in submitting their complaints, as they have to travel to Peshawar due to the absence of regional offices in their districts.The KP ombudsman has already raised this issue with the provincial government, and the chief minister has expressed the willingness to establish these offices on a priority basis.