Needed: federal ombudsman

Regrettably, the position of Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman) has been lying vacant for a while. The position had become vacant when Mr Javed Sadiq Malik, the former Wafaqi Mohtasib, relinquished the charge of his office on 27th October, 2010 after having completed his four year tenure.

Many like me, who are students of law and political science, know the importance of this important slot in any democratic dispensation. Thus, I fail to understand the indifference of the present rulers towards the appointment of the Wafaqi Mohtasib. The apathy of the government is worrisome. Our rulers must know that it is the Ombudsman who diagnoses, investigates, redresses and rectifies injustices faced by the public from departments of the federal government and inspires effective and efficient performance among public sector organisations to promote good governance. Delay in the appointment of the Wafaqi Mohtasib has adversely affected the performance of not only the provincial ombudsmen but also of other federal organisations.

The president of Pakistan is requested to appoint somebody with the requisite legal and administrative experience as the Federal Ombudsman. How can such an important position be left vacant during the tenure of a democratic government? HASHIM ABRO

Islamabad