KARACHI  – Sindh Ombudsman Asad Ashraf Malik has sought the help of media for early implementation of his decisions against the mal-administration in government departments.
He said that most of the government departments resist and linger on the implementation of Ombudsman’s verdict. Unless they have a fear of being exposed in the media they would not implement the ombudsman’s decision, he noted.
Speaking at an interaction with editors of newspapers and tv channels at a local hotel Tuesday, he also urged the media to identify and bring to the notice of Ombudsman about the public grievances against government departments.
He aid British Ombudsman in London had informed him during a meeting that his office utilizes the influence of media for implementing his decisions. The Ombudsman office threats the departments for leaking the incidents of maladministration to media if they fail to implement his decision, he added.
Malik said that the implementation of Ombudsman’s decisions can be expedited if media extend this kind of support here. We also seek the support of media for creating awareness about the functioning of Ombudsman Office so that more and more aggrieved people can get the benefit of “free of cost” and “fast solution to his grievance.
He informed the editors that Ombudsman Sindh has also submitted a concept paper to the Sindh government for acquiring “stay powers” through legislation to immediately provide relief to common person.
Similarly, Ombudsman Office also want to have “punitive” action powers to punish the government officers against the complaints of maladministration.
The Ombudsman pointed out that his office was also helping women against accesses in the government offices. At the same time, we are taking action against the child abuse specially in schools and juvenile prisons with the help of Children Complaint Cell established with the financial support of UNICEF.
Malik said that 14 regional offices of Ombudsman are working in 14 districts while more offices will be opened at taluka level in the entire province. Besides, we try to reach people in remote areas through mobile vans, he added.
He said that work load has been enhanced and volume of complaints multiplied by 3 to 4 times since he had taken over this office.
Earlier, in his welcome address media advisor Ombudsman Tariq Imam urged the media to create awareness about the functioning of Ombudsman’s office among general public. He said that there was convergence of interest for both Ombudsman and the media to identify and rectify maladministration in government departments.