The 31st meeting of the Forum of Pakistan Ombudsman (FPO) was held at the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Secretariat, Islamabad. The meeting served as an introductory and consultative session, bringing together Ombudspersons from across the country.
The meeting was hosted by Federal Tax Ombudsman, Zafar ul Haq Hijazi, who welcomed participants and outlined key institutional priorities, including effective use of information technology, procedural uniformity, stronger inter-institutional coordination through the FPO, and enhanced public outreach.
He emphasized that awareness of Ombudsman institutions remains limited, particularly among the general public, and stressed the need for simplified outreach strategies to ensure easy access to grievance redressal mechanisms. He also highlighted the importance of institutional experience while electing representatives to key FPO positions.
International achievements of FPO members were acknowledged, including the election of Ms. Ayesha Hamid, Punjab Ombudsman, as Vice President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), and Mr. Sohail Rajput, Sindh Ombudsman, as IOI Director.
Almas Ali Jovindah, Executive Secretary FPO, formally initiated the proceedings and presented a brief overview of recent achievements, including the election of Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi, Wafaqi Mohtasib, as President of the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), and Pakistan’s active participation in international Ombudsman forums.
Policy discussions focused on digitization, use of emerging technologies, and legal reforms to enhance efficiency and accountability. Ms Fauzia Viqar highlighted the role of IT systems and responsible use of artificial intelligence in improving service delivery.
Former Ombudspersons shared best practices, including institutional conferences, public awareness initiatives, and online training programs introduced during the COVID-19 period.
The newly appointed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ombudsman, Ms Rubab Mehdi, emphasized the need for amendments in existing by-laws to improve institutional responsiveness and effectiveness. The Forum welcomed her appointment and expressed confidence in collaborative efforts on institutional reform and gender equity.
The Secretary to the Federal Ombudsman, Ali Tahir, reported that by December 2025, over 242,000 complaints had been handled, providing public relief of approximately Rs. 9.46 billion. Expansion of offices to 28 cities and enhanced digital outreach were also highlighted.
Presenting FTO performance, Mr. Almas Ali Jovindah stated that from 2021 to December 2025, the FTO received 37,553 cases and disposed of 34,744, reflecting a steadily improving disposal rate.
In concluding remarks, the Federal Tax Ombudsman reaffirmed FTO’s commitment to collaboration within the FPO framework, emphasizing citizen-centric reforms, institutional harmony, and transparent justice delivery.