Ombudsman in khyber pakhtunkhwa Pakistan - Legal analysis of critics

Abstract

The paper addresses the question of legitimacy of Ombudsman in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa whereas the institution of ombudsman is criticized for some raison d'être. The research is based on Hypothesis that a huge amount (35 million) is allocated each year by the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Ombudsman institution. Whether, it is legitimate investment for improving transparency or burden on government exchequer? For the purpose, various books, journals research papers, annual reports of Ombudsman were taken into account moreover, discussions with the employees of Ombudsman Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were held for finding out the facts. The study basically followed the content analysis & discourse analysis technique so as to reach a rationale point. It has been concluded that it is a unique institution providing free, fair & expeditious relief to the public in all those genuine complaints arising out of malpractices, maladministration and negligence by the government employees, departments and functionaries, during the interaction of people with government departments, albeit there are certain difficulties, challenges to the ombudsman institution in terms of law, especially the amendment in 2013 in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Ombudsman Act, 2010. Additionally, noncooperation of bureaucracy and government reluctance to be truly democratic.