Press Release:
A delegation from the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) visited the Wafaqi Mohtasib’s Secretariat here today as part of the latter’s contact with the civil society programme designed to increase the public awareness about this office.
Briefing the delegation, Senior Advisor, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, said that during the outgoing year 2023, this office received and processed a record number of complaints which stands at 194,106 that is 18% higher than the preceding years. Out of these 193,030 complaints were disposed of which is 22% higher than the previous year. He said that a system of strict monitoring, follow up and verification of the implementation of each and every decision is in place and an impressive implementation rate of 85.4% was recorded in 2023, adding that 88% complaints were disposed of within the prescribed limit of 60 days.
The Senior Advisor further informed the delegation that the officers of the Wafaqi Mohtasib Office are dispensing justice to the people at their doorsteps. Our Investigation Officers visited the remote and far off areas of the country and decided 3149 cases, which spared the complainants from taking the trouble of visiting the Wafaqi Mohtasib office at the headquarters or the major cities of the country.
Dilating on the international linkages of this office, the Senior Advisor observed that the office of the Wafaqi Mohtasib is an active member of the International Ombudsman’s Institute (IOI) the OIC Ombudsman Association (AOA) (OICOA) and the Asian Ombudsman Association. He said that the Wafaqi Mohtasib was re-elected unopposed as President of the AOA by the General Assembly of the Asian Ombudsman Association, which is a 47-member strong professional body of Ombudsmen of the Asian Region representing more than two third of the world population, which is indeed a great honour for the country.
He said that the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat is often referred to as the poor man’s court since it strives to bring administrative justice to the people especially to those belonging to the marginalized and deprived segments of the population. He said that owing to the hard work and dedication of our Officers and by employing instruments like the Khuli Katcharies and the Informal Resolution of Disputes (IRD) programmes, this office has been able to redress large number of public complaints, thereby providing relief to a sizeable segment of the people in a hassle-free manner. It was started in April 2022 in some offices but latter extended to other as well in view of its massive success in speedy resolution of public problems. He further stated that there is a great deal of improvement in redressing the public complaints which are lately exhibiting an upward trend due to increase in population and other factors. He elaborated that during the year 2022 this office received 164,174 complaints were received, which swelled to 194,099 in 2023 which is, a reflection of the public trust and confidence in this office.
He particularly referred to the steps taken for resolution of the problems and welfare of the Overseas Pakistanis, pensioners and prisoners specially the women and juvenile prisoners in jails, which resulted in considerably improving their lot. He also informed that now there are 18 Regional Offices and 04 Complaints Collection Centres, covering nearly the entire length of the country.
