Karachi (HRNW)- Sindh High Court (SHC) here Tuesday reserved its verdict on a constitutional petition of Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor in which he has challenged the Ombudsman Act 2020.
As per details, the constitutional petition (No. 929/2020), filed by Altaf Shakoor against the Provincial Ombudsman Act 2020, was heard by a two-member bench comprising Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed and Justice Muhammad Usman Ali Hadi. The Honourable Court reserved its decision and fixed May 5, 2026, for the announcement of the verdict.
Advocate Khurram Lakhani, who represented the petitioner, later told the media that he hoped that the powers of the Provincial Ombudsman would be restored to the Governor of Sindh.
However, Pasban Chairman Altaf Shakoor stated that nearly all institutions and infrastructure in Sindh have deteriorated due to corruption and bad governance. In such circumstances, he alleged, the Chief Minister of Sindh has taken control of the Ombudsman’s powers through legislation to facilitate and conceal corruption.
It is pertinent to mention that the constitutional petition challenges the law under which the powers of the Provincial Ombudsman were placed under the control of the Chief Minister. The petition argues that an Ombudsman appointed by the Chief Minister cannot effectively oversee or act against corruption involving the Chief Minister or members of his cabinet.
The petition further questions whether a secretary or any officer appointed by the Chief Minister can take action against him if he himself is involved in corruption. It emphasises that the Ombudsman must be independent and free from all forms of pressure to perform duties in a transparent and impartial manner.
The petition also contends that the bill was passed without properly following the rules and procedures of the Provincial Assembly.
