President Alvi urges Wafaqi Mohtasib of Pakistan to increase its outreach to far-flung areas of country

ISLAMABAD, April 05 (SABAH): President Dr. Arif Alvi has urged the Wafaqi Mohtasib of Pakistan to increase its outreach to far-flung areas of the country and utilize the latest IT tools for the quick redressal of people’s complaints against the maladministration of government departments at their doorsteps. He asked the Mohtasib to provide speedy justice to the complainants against the high-handedness of utility companies as most of the complaints were related to excessive billing by DISCOs and gas companies.

President Dr. Arif Alvi made these remarks while talking to the Wafaqi Mohtasib (WM) of Pakistan, Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi, who called on him and presented the Annual Report-2021 of the organization, at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday. Secretary to the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, Ejaz Ahmed Khan, also attended the meeting.

The Wafaqi Mohtasib (WM) briefed the President about the performance and achievements of the institution during the year 2021. It was highlighted that last year, the Mohtasib received 110,398 complaints out of which 106,732 were resolved whereas 92.7% of findings of the WM were implemented during 2021. It was further highlighted that out of the total complaints, 42,000 were received and processed online. He further apprised the President about the steps taken to redress the grievances of the people of remote areas by establishing Complaint Cells and Regional Offices in different areas of the country. The WM also apprised that under the Integrated Complaint Resolution (ICR) System, the Mohtasib had integrated 180 different agencies of the Federal Government for facilitating the quick disposal of complaints.

Underlining the need for providing quick and free-of-cost justice to the common man, President Dr. Arif Alvi asked the Mohtasib to increase its outreach using modern ICT tools, create awareness through media about its functions and services, and establish linkages with various government departments. He asked the Mohtasib to hold meetings with government organizations to dispose of people’s complaints expeditiously in accordance with the principles of justice and discourage the practice of frivolous litigations as it increases the workload of government departments as well as the Wafaqi Mohtasib.

The President appreciated the performance and outreach activities of the Mohtasib and assured him of his support in further strengthening the institution and enhancing its role in providing speedy justice to the complainants.