Wafaqi Mohtasib, (Urdu: وفاقی محتسب), also known as the Federal Ombudsman, is a governmental institution established by Presidential Order I of 1983, during the tenure of President General Zia ul Haq.
The primary mandate of the Wafaqi Mohtasib is to identify, investigate, address, and correct instances of injustice stemming from the maladministration of federal government agencies.
Its role is crucial in ensuring accountability and fairness in the public sector, serving as a mechanism for citizens to seek redress for grievances caused by administrative lapses.
[1][2][3] In Pakistan, the concept of establishing an ombudsman institution gained momentum over time, culminating in the inclusion of Article 276 in the Interim Constitution of 1972, which laid the groundwork for the appointment of both Federal and Provincial Ombudsmen.
Headquartered in Islamabad, the Wafaqi Mohtasib operates with a network of regional offices strategically located in Lahore, Sukkur, Dera Ismail Khan, Faisalabad, Multan, Quetta, Peshawar, Karachi and Hyderabad.