PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Provincial Ombudsman Amendment Act 2024 has been challenged in the Peshawar High Court (PHC).
The petition, filed by Ali Azim, lists the provincial government, the Ministry of Law, and Provincial Ombudsman Jamal Din Shah as respondents. The petitioner argues that Jamal Din Shah, who retired in 2023, is still serving in his position illegally.
Additionally, the petition claims that the recent amendment to the KP Ombudsman Act 2010 is designed to benefit a specific individual.
The petitioner has requested that the court declare the KP Ombudsman Amendment Act 2024 unconstitutional and void.
It is worth noting that the KP Assembly passed the Provincial Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2024 on July 29. The bill, introduced by Law Minister Aftab Alam, was approved with a majority vote and aims to strengthen accountability within the province.
Under the new amendment, the Ombudsman will serve a three-year term, with a maximum age limit of 60 years, and will have the authority to address corruption complaints from citizens.
