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Zoom meeting view of the International Webinar hosted by Federal Ombudsman Belgium
The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab recently participated in an international webinar led by Mr. Klaas Vansteenkiste, Forensic Auditor, Centre Intégrité Centrum Integriteit (MedfedOmb), Federal Ombudsman Belgium, focusing on Belgium’s progressive whistleblower protection framework and the evolving role of ombudsman institutions in promoting institutional integrity and protecting individuals who report wrongdoing.
The webinar was attended by Ms. Ayesha Hamid, Ombudsman Punjab and First Vice-President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), Secretary Mr. Kaiser Saleem, along with Advisors from the Head Office and Regional Offices of the Ombudsman Punjab.
During the session, Mr. Vansteenkiste shared insights into Belgium’s landmark whistleblower legislation enacted in 2022, highlighting mechanisms for internal, external, and public disclosures, anonymous reporting provisions, and protection measures against retaliation. He also elaborated on the Federal Ombudsman’s role as a central coordinating authority for whistleblower complaints across multiple competent institutions.
The interactive session also featured a meaningful exchange of views, where Ms. Ayesha Hamid raised important questions regarding the verification of anonymous complaints, safeguards against false reporting, and the jurisdictional role of competent authorities within the Belgian framework.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Hamid appreciated the valuable learning opportunity and emphasized the importance of comparative institutional practices. She noted that the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab would review the existing legal framework under the Punjab Ombudsman Act to identify potential areas for strengthening transparency and accountability in light of international best practices.
The webinar served as an important platform for institutional learning and reaffirmed office of the Ombudsman Punjab’s commitment to capacity building, governance reform, and adoption of global best practices in administrative justice.
Source: The Office of the Provincial Ombudsman Punjab, Pakistan
