SC flabbergasted by federal ombudsperson’s lack of legal knowledge

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the legal competence of Federal Ombudsperson against Harassment Fauzia Viqar, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

During the hearing of an appeal filed by the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH), Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel remarked that when the ombudsperson did not have legal knowledge, how she could provide relief to people.

Justice Shahid Waheed said that in the appeal, the ombudsperson had admitted that she did not have knowledge about the law. “She has even given an affidavit in this connection,” he added.

Justice Mandokhel said that people approached the ombudsperson for justice. “When she does not have legal knowledge, how can she provide relief to the them?” he questioned.

The judge asked the ombudsperson as to why she filed the appeal when she did not have knowledge about the law.

Speaking on the occasion, her lawyer said that there was a legal question that whether a services tribunal could hear the cases of FOSPAH employees.

Justice Waheed asked why not the court makes an observation that such an ombudsperson, with no legal knowledge, should be relieved of her duties. “Why not the bench rejects the appeal along with fine on the ombudsperson,” the judge asked.

Following that, the apex court disposed of the appeal when the ombudsperson’s lawyer told the court he was withdrawing it.

A three-member bench, headed by Justice Mandokhel, heard the appeal.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori