FPO for promoting cause of ombudsmanship, good governance.

ISLAMABAD -- The 27th meeting of the Forum of Pakistan Ombudsman (FPO) have decided to establish a dedicated FPO secretariat to plan, implement and coordinate its activities as well as to act as a platform for promoting cause of ombudsmanship and good governance in the country.

According to a release received here, the meeting was held in the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, Islamabad on Tuesday under the chair of Federal Tax Ombudsman/President FPO Dr Asif Mahmood Jah.

The FPO meeting coincided with the 40th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of the institution of Federal Ombudsman in Pakistan.

The forum appreciated that the ombudsmanship has come of age in the country and the institution is working as an effective mechanism for providing speedy and inexpensive justice to the general public against maladministration by the government agencies.

The meeting took important decisions with a view to strengthening mutual cooperation in promoting core values of administrative propriety, rule of law, good governance and inviolability of human dignity.

Moreover, the forum agreed to take concrete steps to create greater awareness among the public about their rights and obligations and the availability of the ombudsman institution for provision of speedy and inexpensive relief against administrative excesses by the governmental agencies.

The FPO meeting reiterated its resolve to act as a platform for promoting the cause of ombudsmanship and robust public opinion against maladministration, discrimination, favouritism, corruption and alike.

The forum agreed to maintain regular interaction among its member institutions with a view to sharing knowledge and best practices in carrying out statutory role in their respective fields.

It also decided to establish a dedicated FPO Secretariat to plan, implement and coordinate its activities in a professional manner on sustained basis.

The meeting took note of Pakistan's pivotal role in promoting ombudsmanship at international level. Currently, Pakistan holds...