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Ms. Ayesha Hamid, Ombudsman Punjab, along with participants and senior officers at the closing ceremony of the International Internship Programme 2026
The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab successfully hosted the first batch of its 5-day International Internship Programme from April 27 to May 1, 2026, marking a significant step towards fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange within the global ombudsman community.
Organized in collaboration with the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), the week-long programme brought together distinguished representatives from member institutions across various regions. Participants included Ismail Areff Bawamia from the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children, Republic of Mauritius; Ahmet Kesgin from the Ombudsman Institution of Turkiye; and Darren Carr from the Office of the City Ombudsman, Cape Town, South Africa.
The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Honourable Ombudsman Punjab Ms. Ayesha Hamid and Secretary Kaiser Saleem, setting the tone for a week of professional engagement and collaborative learning. The opening session was emceed by Advisor Research Ahmad Yar Khan. Registrar Nadeem Hassan Gohar delivered a comprehensive overview of the Ombudsman Act 1997, outlining the legal and institutional framework governing the organization’s mandate.
Designed to provide a thorough understanding of the institutional framework and operational practices of Ombudsman Punjab, the programme combined theoretical briefings with practical exposure. Participants gained in-depth insights into complaint handling procedures, case management systems, and service delivery mechanisms. Advisor (F&P)/(ITID) Sami Ullah presented a detailed overview of the certified ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) for complaint management, reflecting the institution’s commitment to efficiency and service excellence. Ms. Noor-ul-Ain Zafar (Deputy Director I&C) gave briefing on the operations of 1050 helpline and redressal of grievances. Ahmad Yar Khan (Advisor Research) also presented a comparative analysis between the Office of Ombudsman Punjab and the interns’ respective home country institutions, fostering deeper institutional understanding and exchange of perspectives.
Activities throughout the week included guided office tours of Kasur, Sheikhupura and Faisalabad Regional Offices with Mr. Muhammad Saleem (Deputy Director), Mr. Sabir Kabir (Liaison cum Coordinator) and Umar Tahir (Assistant Director International Relations). Moreover, the participants experienced the Awami Khidmat Programme Van Outreach in the remote areas of Faisalabad and attended live hearing sessions. Interactive sessions with senior officials facilitated meaningful dialogue on shared challenges, emerging trends, and best practices in ombudsman institutions worldwide.
Complementing the professional agenda, the programme featured cultural and site visits, allowing participants to experience the region’s heritage and governance landscape. The participants visited Masjid Wazir Khan, Lahore Fort, Shahi Hammam, and Hiran Minar. This integration of professional learning with cultural engagement enriched the overall experience and reinforced the importance of cross-cultural understanding within the ombudsman network.
The programme concluded with closing remarks by Honourable Ombudsman Punjab Ms. Ayesha Hamid, who also awarded certificates to the participants, marking the successful completion of the internship.
Source: Office of the Ombudsman Punjab, Pakistan
