PAKISTAN | Office of the Ombudsman Punjab’s Training Visit to the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye

The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab deputed a six-member delegation to participate in a specialized training programme hosted by the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye in Ankara from 4–8 May 2026. The delegation comprised Dr. Muhammad Nasir Jamal Pasha, Advisor Health Service Monitoring; Mr. Anwar Rasheed, Advisor Implementation IV; Dr. Khalid Hussain, Consultant RO Bhakkar; Ms. Asifa Gul, Consultant; Mr. Muhammad Saleem, Deputy Director; and Mr. Adil Asghar, Liaison Associate-cum-Coordinator. The visit was organized under the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ombudsman Association (OICOA) and provided a valuable platform for the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices in the field of administrative justice and public grievance redressal.

The delegation was received by Mr. Mehmet Akarca, Chief Ombudsman of Türkiye and President of OICOA, along with senior officials of the Turkish Ombudsman Institution. During the opening session, both institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to the principles of transparency, accountability, fairness, and the rule of law, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration among Ombudsman institutions in addressing contemporary governance challenges.

Throughout the week, the delegation participated in an extensive programme comprising technical briefings, institutional presentations, and interactive discussions with Turkish Ombudsmen and senior experts. The sessions covered a broad range of subjects, including complaint management procedures, admissibility standards, investigative practices, decision-making processes, implementation of recommendations, public administration, labour and employment matters, education, social security, children’s rights, women’s rights, and justice-related complaints. Special emphasis was placed on strengthening institutional effectiveness through sound investigative methodologies, procedural safeguards, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and citizen-focused service delivery.

The delegation also received detailed briefings on the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye’s organizational structure, information management systems, public communication strategies, stakeholder engagement mechanisms, and international cooperation initiatives. These sessions provided valuable insights into how modern Ombudsman institutions can enhance accessibility, public trust, and operational efficiency.

As part of the knowledge-sharing component of the programme, the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab presented its legal and institutional framework under the Punjab Office of the Ombudsman Act, 1997. The presentation highlighted the Office’s mandate, jurisdiction, complaint handling procedures, investigative powers, and mechanisms for ensuring administrative accountability. Particular interest was shown in the Awami Khidmat Programme, a flagship outreach initiative through which Mobile Outreach Vans deliver grievance redressal services directly to citizens in remote and underserved areas of Punjab. The institution of Türkiye recognized the programme as an innovative model for expanding access to administrative justice and enhancing citizen engagement at the grassroots level.

The visit also included a study tour of the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye (HREIT), where the delegation engaged with senior officials on issues related to human rights monitoring, anti-discrimination mechanisms, and institutional oversight. These discussions offered opportunities for comparative learning and strengthened understanding of complementary accountability frameworks.

In addition to the technical programme, the delegation visited key national institutions and cultural landmarks, including the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Anıtkabir, the Presidential Nation’s Library, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and other historical sites. These visits provided valuable perspectives on Türkiye’s democratic institutions, administrative traditions, and cultural heritage.

Source: Office of the Ombudsman Punjab, Pakistan