Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met Provincial Ombudsman Dr Sohail Rajput in Karachi on Monday.
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During the meeting, the provincial ombudsman presented the annual performance report for 2025.
He briefed the chief minister on a sharp rise in public complaints and overall case disposal.
Complaints Rise 236 Percent in One Year
According to the report, the ombudsman office received 25,217 complaints in 2025.
This marks a 236 percent increase compared to previous years.
Officials said the rise reflects growing public trust in the institution.
Thousands of Citizens Receive Relief
The ombudsman provided relief in 8,789 cases during 2025.
In addition, citizens received financial benefits worth Rs4.29 billion.
According to the report, 16,363 complaints were approved for formal investigation.
Meanwhile, thousands of cases were processed and resolved during the year.
Case Disposal and Fast-Track Justice
Officials said 12,591 cases were decided during the reporting period.
Furthermore, 2,660 complaints were resolved through direct intervention.
Another 12,308 cases were closed after detailed investigations.
As a result, thousands of citizens received timely relief.
Strong Focus on Transparency and Governance
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah praised the growing role of the ombudsman office.
He said rising complaints show increased public confidence in the system.
In addition, he stressed the importance of transparency and better governance.
Public Awareness and Outreach Campaigns
The report highlighted several awareness initiatives across Sindh.
Authorities conducted 423 open courts to address public grievances.
In addition, 120 awareness sessions were held for citizens.
Officials also sent 31 million SMS messages to spread awareness about services.
Digital Complaint System Expands
The CMS online system recorded more than 7,611 complaints.
Officials said the digital platform has improved tracking and processing of cases.
As a result, complaint handling has become faster and more transparent.
Student Ambassadors and Internship Program
The ombudsman launched a brand ambassador program in seven universities.
Students from NED University, IBA Sukkur, SZABIST, Hamdard University, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Salim Habib University and the University of Karachi were included.
In addition, 32 students joined internship programs for practical training.
New Units for Climate and Disability Rights
Officials also announced new institutional reforms.
A Climate and Disaster Justice Unit (CDJU) has been established.
Furthermore, two permanent committees now focus on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Authorities are also working to ensure a 5 percent job quota and better access to education.
International Recognition for Ombudsman
Dr Sohail Rajput has been elected to the board of the International Ombudsman Institute.
In addition, he has been appointed Vice Chair of the UN Ombudsman Working Group.
Officials said this reflects international recognition of Sindh’s reforms.
Major Complaints Against Local Bodies
According to the report, the highest number of complaints were filed against local government bodies.
Around 10,000 complaints were linked to municipal institutions.
Additional grievances were also reported against revenue, education and police departments.
CM Praises Reform Efforts
The chief minister appreciated the performance of the ombudsman office.
He reaffirmed the government’s support for transparency and improved service delivery.
Officials said further cooperation will continue to strengthen public accountability systems.
