ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan Naveed Kamran Baloch has been elected unopposed as President of the Forum of Pakistan Ombudsman (FPO), replacing Federal Tax Ombudsman Zafar-ul-Haq Hijazi.
The meeting was chaired by Mr Hijazi, the outgoing president of the Forum, and was attended by federal and provincial ombudsmen, ombudspersons and their representatives. FPO Executive Secretary Almas Ali Jovindah conducted the proceedings.
After his unanimous election, Mr Baloch thanked Mr Hijazi and the members of the Forum for their confidence in him. He paid tribute to the outgoing president’s role, observing that the Federal Tax Ombudsman had steered the Forum in an effective manner and helped deepen cooperation among its member institutions.
Mr Baloch said he would work to further strengthen the FPO, improve coordination among ombudsman offices and promote a system of grievance redressal that was accessible, low-cost and swift for the public. Members of the Forum felicitated him on his election and conveyed best wishes for his term.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment Fauzia Viqar, Federal Banking Ombudsman Sirajuddin Aziz, Federal Insurance Ombudsman Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, Punjab Ombudsperson Najma Afzal Khan, Sindh Ombudsman Muhammad Sohail Rajput, Sindh Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment of Women Justice Shahnawaz Tariq, AJK Ombudsman Arif Khan Rathore and Balochistan Ombudsperson Tahira Baloch. Representatives from the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan ombudsman offices were also present.
The Forum of Pakistan Ombudsman was established in 2011 as a joint platform for federal and provincial ombudsman institutions. It works to enhance coordination, improve mechanisms for redressal of public complaints, and promote accountability and good governance.
Mr Baloch took oath as the ninth regular Federal Ombudsman in March 2026. A career civil servant, he has served as Cabinet Secretary, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federal Finance Secretary and Federal Health Secretary, besides holding other senior positions. He has also served as an Executive Director at the World Bank.
