Punjab ombudsman provides Rs50mn relief to complainants

LAHORE: On the direction of Punjab Ombudsman retired Major Azam Suleman Khan, plaintiffs from various provincial districts have been provided with legal relief valued at Rs49.43 million in several cases relating to the provincial government's departments.

Explaining the details in this regard, a spokesperson of the Office of the Ombudsman said the cases were related to complaints of non-payment of dues based on blood relationship, leave encashment, delay in the return of surety money and wrong deducted on the basis of late delivery.

In this regard, the Workers Welfare Fund Punjab paid Rs1.1 million as talent scholarship and educational expenses to one Laiba Chaand from Layyah after the involvement of the ombudsman's office, the spokesman added.

The spokesman further stated the ombudsman's office moderated to get vacated state lands valuing over Rs22.5 million in Mianwali and Toba Tek Singh after five complainants approached the ombudsman's office to retrieve the same from illegal squatters.

The lands have been handed over to the concerned administration for official use.

As a result of the action of Ombudsman Khan on a separate application, an 11-year-old dispute of one Irum Zafar from Islamabad has also been resolved amicably and ownership of a four marla plot belonging to her late husband, with a market value of Rs0.61 million in Taxila, has been transferred in her name.