Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman)
Wafaqi Mohtasib
Summary
The Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman) was established under the Establishment of the Office of Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) Order, 1983 (President's Order No. 1 of 1983). The Mohtasib is appointed by the President for a single non-renewable 4-year term and may be removed only for cause on the recommendation of a Supreme Court inquiry. The office investigates complaints of maladministration, injustice, corruption, incompetence, and neglect by federal government agencies and officials, and may make recommendations for redress. Under the 1983 Order, the Mohtasib may require any agency to furnish information and documents and may examine witnesses, giving effective compel-testimony authority; however, the office's recommendations are not legally binding and enforcement relies on referral to the President. Annual reports are submitted to the President and published.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 4 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | Yes |
| Records access | Full access |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Establishment of the Office of Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) Order, 1983
- Citation
- President's Order No. 1 of 1983 (as amended)
Jurisdiction scope
All federal government agencies, departments, statutory corporations, and officials; investigates maladministration complaints from the public; does not cover matters sub-judice, purely private disputes, or matters in which formal legal remedy is available