Lahore Division

Lahore | Riaz Hussain ReNews Pakistan The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab marked three decades of public service by hosting its 30th Anniversary International Conference in Lahore on Thursday, bringing together ombudsmen, human rights officials, public accountability experts and institutional representatives from across the world to discuss strategies for strengthening accountability, promoting good governance and protecting citizens’ rights. Held at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore, the conference was organised under the theme “Role of Ombudsman Institutions in Strengthening Accountability, Governance, and Citizens’ Rights.” The international gathering provided a platform for exchanging experiences, sharing institutional best practices and exploring modern approaches to improving public complaint redressal systems, administrative transparency and citizens’ access to justice. Delegates from Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Cameroon, Zambia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Switzerland, Italy, Ukraine, Andorra, Türkiye, the Kyrgyz Republic, Macao, Bahrain, Timor-Leste and the Philippines participated in the conference, alongside representatives from Pakistan and other international institutions. Addressing the conference as chief guest, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb welcomed the international delegates and appreciated their participation in an event dedicated to strengthening public accountability institutions and improving governance standards. She commended the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab for introducing institutional reforms, promoting merit-based decision-making and adopting digital technologies to enhance administrative efficiency and public service delivery. The senior minister said the institution had undergone significant transformation, evolving into a more transparent, technologically advanced and citizen-focused organisation. She highlighted the important role played by the Ombudsman Punjab in bridging the gap between citizens and the state by providing an accessible mechanism for addressing public grievances and ensuring greater accountability in government departments. Marriyum Aurangzeb also appreciated the institution’s performance in resolving public complaints, observing that effective grievance redressal mechanisms were essential for strengthening public confidence in government institutions. During her address, she extended an invitation to the visiting international delegates and their families to return to Lahore for the Basant festival scheduled for March next year. Delivering the keynote address, Ombudsman Punjab Ayesha Hamid highlighted the institution’s achievements, ongoing reforms and commitment to improving the quality, transparency and accessibility of public services. She expressed appreciation for the advisors, officers and staff of the institution, acknowledging their contributions towards strengthening its operational capacity and improving its performance over the years. Ayesha Hamid disclosed that the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab had received more than 73,000 public complaints during 2025, while over 60,000 complaints had already been received in 2026. She said the figures reflected growing public awareness of the institution’s role and increasing confidence among citizens in its ability to address grievances relating to public administration. Highlighting recent institutional achievements, the Ombudsman Punjab announced that the office had secured ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for information security management, reflecting its efforts to strengthen data protection and information management standards. She further informed participants that the institution’s Complaint Management Information System (CMIS) had obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification in 2025, recognising the implementation of quality management standards in its complaint-handling operations. According to Ayesha Hamid, these certifications were the outcome of sustained institutional efforts to enhance efficiency, strengthen transparency and improve the overall quality of public service delivery. She emphasised the importance of introducing internationally recognised standards and modern technological solutions to make ombudsman institutions more effective, accessible and responsive to citizens’ needs. Earlier, in her opening remarks, Zambia Public Protector Caroline C. Zulu welcomed the conference participants and appreciated Ombudsman Punjab Ayesha Hamid for bringing together a diverse group of international delegates. She stressed that cooperation among ombudsman institutions was essential for strengthening their capacity to address administrative grievances, promote fairness and ensure accountability in public sector institutions. Caroline C. Zulu said that sharing professional experiences, institutional knowledge and successful practices could help ombudsman offices overcome common administrative challenges and introduce more effective mechanisms for protecting citizens’ rights. She expressed confidence that the international conference would provide valuable opportunities for mutual learning, professional cooperation and the development of stronger institutional relationships. The conference featured three panel discussions focusing on the evolving responsibilities of ombudsman institutions, the importance of digital transformation and the adoption of institutional best practices to improve public accountability. The first panel discussion, titled “The Evolving Role of Ombudsman Institutions in Strengthening Good Governance,” examined how ombudsman institutions could contribute to transparent administration, improved public service delivery and stronger oversight of government departments. The session brought together Zambia Public Protector Caroline C. Zulu; Sergey Baburkin, Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia’s Yaroslavl Region; Timor-Leste Chief Ombudsman Virgilio da Silva Guterres; Mauritius High Commissioner Munsoo Kurrimbaccus; Türkiye Ombudsman Abdullah Cengiz Makas; Sharof Azizov, Executive Director of Switzerland-based Justice pour Tous Internationale (JPTi); Kyrgyz Deputy Ombudsman Aichurok Nazaralieva; and Francis Fombi Yang, Research Officer at the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator for Cameroon’s North-West Region. Banking Ombudsman Sirajuddin Aziz moderated the discussion, during which participants exchanged views on the changing role of ombudsman institutions in promoting administrative justice, institutional independence and responsive governance. The second panel discussion, titled “Quality Excellence in Digital Transformation in Ombudsman Institutions,” focused on the growing importance of technology in modernising complaint management systems, improving operational efficiency and ensuring transparency in public administration. Participants included Marino Fardelli, President of the National Coordination of Italian Ombudsmen; Ombudsman Sindh Muhammad Sohail Rajput; Nigeria Chief Commissioner Bashir Abubakar; Mauritius Ombudsperson for Children Aneeta Ghoorah; former South African Police Ombudsman Oswald D. Reddy; and Wren Ebong Ebong Ngole, Research Officer at the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator for Cameroon’s South-West Region. Ombudsman Sindh Muhammad Sohail Rajput moderated the session, which highlighted opportunities for using digital systems to improve complaint registration, case monitoring, institutional coordination and the timely resolution of citizens’ grievances. The third panel discussion, titled “Institutional Best Practices in Strengthening Ombudsmanship,” explored measures for enhancing the effectiveness, independence and credibility of ombudsman institutions through administrative reforms, professional standards and international cooperation. The panel featured Ukraine’s First Ombudsman Dr Prof Nina Karpacheva; Rashid Rumzada, Deputy Head at the Office of the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan; Anna Demeneva, Head of the International Department of the Regional Ombudsman in Russia’s Sverdlovsk Region; Ombudsperson Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rubab Mehdi; Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment Fauzia Viqar; and Nasser Al-Marri, Head of the Legal Affairs Department at Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee. Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar moderated the discussion, which focused on strengthening institutional mechanisms, promoting accountability and developing effective approaches to safeguarding citizens’ rights. The three panel discussions were followed by interactive question-and-answer sessions, allowing international delegates and participants to share practical experiences, discuss institutional challenges and identify opportunities for improving grievance redressal mechanisms. Participants emphasised the importance of institutional independence, administrative transparency, effective complaint resolution, information security and the adoption of digital technologies to strengthen the performance of ombudsman offices. The discussions also highlighted the need for closer international cooperation, professional capacity-building and knowledge-sharing among public accountability institutions to address emerging governance challenges. The international conference marked 30 years of the Ombudsman Punjab’s role in addressing public grievances and promoting administrative accountability in the province. The event also underscored the growing importance of ombudsman institutions as mechanisms for protecting citizens against maladministration, strengthening public confidence in government departments and ensuring access to fair and transparent administrative processes. By bringing together senior ombudsmen, human rights officials and public accountability professionals from different regions, the conference provided an opportunity to explore practical reforms and international best practices aimed at improving institutional performance. The gathering concluded with a renewed emphasis on strengthening accountability frameworks, promoting citizen-centred governance and expanding international collaboration to ensure that public institutions remain responsive, transparent and accessible to the people they serve.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ali Hussam Asghar has welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal government's target of increasing financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to Rs 2 trillion by June 2028, saying the initiative could help expand businesses, generate employment opportunities and accelerate economic activity across Pakistan. In a statement issued on Thursday, the LCCI president said small and medium enterprises were a fundamental component of Pakistan's economy, with considerable potential to stimulate industrial and commercial activity, promote entrepreneurship, create employment and contribute to the country's export growth. He emphasised that timely access to affordable financing was essential for the sustainable development of SMEs, as limited availability of institutional credit often restricted their ability to expand operations and improve business performance. According to Ali Hussam Asghar, improved access to financing would enable small and medium businesses to invest in modern technologies, increase production capacity, enhance productivity and strengthen their competitiveness in domestic and international markets. He appreciated the government's objective of expanding SME financing to 775,000 potential borrowers, observing that the initiative could improve financial inclusion and encourage more businesses to become part of the formal financial system. The LCCI president highlighted recent developments in SME financing, stating that outstanding financing had increased from Rs 1.114 trillion in June 2026 to more than Rs 1.137 trillion by September 2026. He said the number of SME borrowers had also increased to approximately 350,862, reflecting progress in extending formal financing facilities to small and medium enterprises. Asghar stressed that achieving the Rs 2 trillion financing target by June 2028 would require coordinated efforts by the federal government, the State Bank of Pakistan, commercial banks, microfinance institutions, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the private sector. He called for simplifying financing procedures and reducing unnecessary administrative complications that could discourage small businesses and startups from accessing formal credit facilities. The LCCI president also underlined the importance of strengthening financial literacy among entrepreneurs to improve their understanding of available financing products, banking requirements and financial management practices. He said greater use of digital platforms could help improve access to financial services, facilitate loan applications and make financing processes more convenient for businesses operating in different parts of the country. Asghar further emphasised the need for financial institutions to develop practical and business oriented lending products tailored to the requirements of SMEs and startups. He observed that the financing needs of small businesses often differed from those of large industrial enterprises, making it important for banks and other financial institutions to introduce appropriate lending solutions. Improved access to affordable credit, he said, could support business expansion, facilitate investment in technology and machinery, improve productivity and create additional employment opportunities.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan The Punjab Information Commission has directed the provincial Irrigation Department to disclose official financial records detailing billions of rupees spent on flood related works and activities during 2025 26, rejecting the department's objections to providing the information under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013. The commission issued its order on September 30, 2026, following a complaint filed by a citizen against the Secretary of the Irrigation Department over the department's failure to provide copies of Form PW 27 relating to government expenditure in flood affected areas. The case centred on the public's right to access official records concerning the utilisation of government funds for flood related activities and the responsibility of public departments to disclose information maintained in their custody. According to the proceedings, the applicant had requested copies of Form PW 27 containing details of expenditure associated with flood affected areas during the 2025 26 period. Instead of providing the requested documents, the Irrigation Department initially referred the matter to its eight zonal offices, where the relevant records were reportedly maintained. The department subsequently raised several objections to the disclosure of the information, including claims of exemption under the provincial right to information law, alleged lack of clarity in the information request and the administrative burden involved in collecting records from multiple offices. During the commission's proceedings, the department was represented by Public Information Officer Adnan Hassan, who informed the commission that the request had already been forwarded to the relevant zonal offices through a letter dated July 24, 2026. He explained that the requested information was available with the department's eight zones, while the provision of Form PW 27 copies relating to flood-affected areas during the 2025 26 flood season remained pending. After examining the department's position, the Punjab Information Commission rejected its objections and ordered the release of the requested records to the applicant. The commission did not accept the department's reliance on legal exemptions, alleged ambiguity in the request or administrative difficulties as sufficient grounds for withholding the information. The ruling requires the Irrigation Department to provide the requested Form PW 27 documents relating to expenditure on flood related works and activities during the specified period. Form PW 27 is an official expenditure record relevant to the accounting and examination of government spending on public works and associated activities. The requested documents are particularly significant because they concern expenditure running into billions of rupees on flood related operations and works in affected areas. Access to such records can help establish how public resources were utilised, identify the nature of expenditure recorded by the department and facilitate scrutiny of financial transactions associated with flood management activities. The Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013, establishes a legal framework enabling citizens to seek information held by public bodies, subject to exemptions provided under the law. The legislation is intended to promote transparency, accountability and public access to government information, including records relating to the use of public funds. The case also highlights the administrative challenges that may arise when official records are maintained across multiple regional or zonal offices. However, the commission's decision makes clear that the objections raised by the Irrigation Department in this case did not justify withholding the requested documents. Public access to expenditure records is particularly important in the context of flood-related activities, where substantial government resources may be used for emergency works, protective infrastructure, rehabilitation and other necessary measures. Disclosure of the relevant records would allow the applicant to examine the expenditure reported in Form PW 27 and assess the financial information associated with flood related works during 2025 26. The commission's order addresses the applicant's right to obtain the requested records and does not, by itself, establish financial irregularities or misuse of public funds.