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BANKING MOHTASIB (Ombudsman) PAKISTAN

بینکنگ محتسب پاکستان

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Banking Mohtasib Pakistan

Newsletter June 2026 -- Banking Mohtasib Provides Relief of Rs 762.76 M to Banking Customers in 1st Half of 2026 -- Annual Report 2025 is available on Website. Download   -- Two Days Annual Conference held on 3rd and 4th October 2025.  

Ombudsman's (Mohtasib) Schemes – An Introduction

In the modern world, an ombudsman was first established in 1809 in Sweden. The word "ombudsman" is of Swedish origin and means "representative or agent" of the people.

In 1919, more than a century after Sweden appointed an ombudsman, another Scandinavian country, Finland, adopted the Swedish model for the redressal of public grievances against agencies of state. The next country to follow was Denmark - this happened in 1955.

The first country outside Europe to establish such an office was New Zealand. This was in 1962 and generated tremendous global interest inspiring many countries, in search of good governance, to launch such schemes.Today, over 100 countries have such a platform in place.

PAKISTAN OMBUDSMAN SCHEMES

In Pakistan, at present, there are five Federal Ombudsmen, i.e. Wafaqi Mohtasib, Federal Tax Ombudsman, Federal Insurance Ombudsman, Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment and Banking Mohtasib.

Wafaqi Mohtasib

In Pakistan, a beginning was made with the appointment of Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) at the Federal level in 1983.The primary objective of the Wafaqi Mohtasib was to diagnose, investigate, redress and rectify injustices faced by the public from Federal Government Departments. The measure of success achieved by the institution of Wafaqi Mohtasib led to the creation of Provincial Ombudsmen in the provinces of Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

For further information click on the link below:

http://www.mohtasib.gov.pk/

Federal Tax Ombudsman

The growing nature of corporate sector grievances, largely relating to inequitable application of taxation laws, and the Government's desire to promote a just and equitable business environment in Pakistan, prompted the Government to establish an independent Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) during the year 2000.

The FTO has brought considerable relief to businesses. Businessmen have found a level of comfort, non-existent in the past, which allows them to confidently and fearlessly make investment decisions in the knowledge that an environment exists where they can expect equity, fair play and justice.

For further information click on the link below:

http://www.fto.gov.pk/

Federal Insurance Ombudsman

In pursuance of the Insurance Ordinance 2000, the Office of Federal Insurance Ombudsman (FIO) was established on 2nd May, 2006. The institution is meant to provide analysis, investigation redressal and rectification of any injustice done to a person through maladministration by any of the insurer in the private sector. The key role of the FIO is to provide timely and cost-free redressal of the public grievances against alleged maladministration in an insurance company. The cases pertaining to life and general insurance business are looked after by FIO as per the requirements of the Insurance Ordinance 2000 and the Insurance Rules.

For further information click on the link below:

http://fio.gov.pk/

 

Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH)

The Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) was established in 2011 as an autonomous quasi-judicial body. Since then, it has provided a trusted platform where individuals can file complaints of workplace harassment and seek justice, while also promoting accountability and dignity in workplaces across the country. Under the 2010 Act, FOSPAH has the authority to hear and decide complaints. It also ensures that all public and private organizations set up Internal Inquiry Committees to deal with complaints internally. Organizations that fail to comply with this legal requirement face fines, making it clear that ignoring the law is not an option.

For further information click on the link below:

https://fospah.gov.pk/