PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakh-tunkhwa government has promulgated an ordinance for establishment of the institution of provincial ombudsman to check malpractices in the provincial government departments and redress public grievances.

Addressing a news conference here Wednesday, Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Barrister Arshad Abdullah said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Ombudsman Ordinance 2010 would come into force at once, paving the way for establishment of the ombudsman’s institution.

He said the appointment of ombudsman and its infrastructure would take time and initially operate in three zones of the province. The law minister said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ombudsman would be more powerful and vibrant compared to those in other provinces. “Our ombudsman will have the power of issuing stay order and taking suo moto notice of malpractice or corruption in the provincial government departments,” he explained.

It may be added that the federal ombudsman is functioning in the province, redressing public grievances against the federal government departments.

“From a patwari and police constable level, the Pakhtun-khwa ombudsman will also have the power to listen to and take action against secretaries and ministers,” he added.

It was explained that under the ordinance, the governor on the advice of chief minister would appoint the ombudsman; he should have been a judge of high court or a serving or retired civil servant of grade-21 and above. The tenure of the ombudsman will not be more than four years.

According to the minister, the step was aimed at protecting the rights of people, ensuring compliance with rule of law, redressing and rectifying any injustice done to a person through malpractices, suppressing corrupt practices and ensuring good governance. “It is a substantial leap towards good governance and self-accountability,” Arshad Abdullah said, adding that the ombudsman or his representatives could raid any government department against alleged mismanagement and malpractices.The news