Daily Times

KARACHI: The Provincial Ombudsman office has been found releasing government funds to a particular non-government organization (NGO), established and being run by the ombudsman and his family members.

Daily Times has learnt that the ombudsman has allegedly established an NGO namely Sindh Association of Working Women (SAWW) having his wife Mrs. Ghazala Shah as its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while his son Abdullah Shah is General Secretary, CFO, Director Operations, Marketing and Human Resources of the NGO.

His daughter Mrs Urwah Mehmood is Director Programs and Projects, brother-in-law of ombudsman’s wife Syed Shahnawaz Shah is Director Overseas Coordination and Partnerships, and sister-in-law of ombudsman Mrs. Yasmeen Zainulabideen is Director Divisional Coordination.

Similarly, a family friend Mrs. Shewana Shahjahan is serving as Director Communication and Networking, and younger daughter of ombudsman Ms. Tooba Shah is Director Research of the said NGO.

It is worth adding here that the Ombudsman’s office is the only office in Sindh which is tasked to provide protection women against harassment at workplaces. The provincial ombudsman, Syed Pir Ali Shah, was appointed by the Sindh government in July 2012 for the period of four years.

Soon after his appointment, sources informed, the ombudsman got his son Abdullah Shah inducted as Director in the ombudsman secretariat.

Sources further disclosed that Mrs Ghazala Shah invited Ombudsman, his husband, to an Iftar Party on June 28th where the ombudsman donated Rs 500,000 to the NGO. ‘The practice of releasing funds to own a family member is totally illegal and against all norms.

When contacted, spokesman for the Chief Minister Sindh Abdul Rasheed Channa has said that CM Sindh would not tolerate the involvement of any higher official in establishing and collaborating with the NGOs. “We will first investigate this matter and stern action will be taken if anyone is found involved”, he added.