The Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan, Ijaz Ahmed Qureshi, has very actively intervened in a case of a skyrocketing electricity bill for a citizen in Abbottabad. In view of this intervention, the Ombudsman has shown he is concerned with fairness and transparency of Electricity Supply Companies billing procedures.
Background of the Complaint
Working on the lead, a woman from the Jhangi Qaziyaan area of Abbottabad filed a complaint to PESCO because she was charged Rs. 33,100, although she pays a lesser electricity bill than most of her neighbours. According to the complainant, the amount was far in excess of the actual electricity used, and this led the complainant to conclude that the electricity bill was incorrect.
Investigation and Action by the Ombudsman’s Office
As soon as the complaint was lodged, the Federal Ombudsman’s office started working on the case. The PESCO officials were forwarded the notice demanding an explanation and justification of the high electricity bill generated from their side. The investigation of the case done by the Ombudsman’s office emphasized the complaint and the rebuttal of PESCO.
Corrective Measures Taken
Upon reviewing the concerned complaint, the Ombudsman ordered PESCO to calculate the bill by providing the correct consumption rates. Therefore, what at first looked more like a raw bluff—an invoice amount of Rs. 33,100—quickly came down to earth into a more real Rs. 19,490. This correction gave the complainant a big relief and ensured that there are proper and fair ways of handling such cases.
Tactfulness by the Complainant
The complainant also owed their appreciation to Ombudsman Ijaz Ahmed Qureshi and Rashid Ahmed, Advisor In-Charge of the Regional Office in Abbottabad for their efficiency in handling the case. She thanked them for their hard work of seeing to it that her complaint was dealt with and for their dedication to fairness.
Ensuring Accountability and Fairness
Rashid Ahmed, Advisor In-Charge for the Hazara Division, categorically described the commitment of the Federal Ombudsman for people’s woes and organizations’ accountability. He informed that every complaint is addressed seriously and that the office does not entertain any leniency to its decisions. They are clear indications of reformist action and the Ombudsman’s unrelenting fight for equality, openness and good governance.
Promotion of Ombudsman Services
Another advantage to be derived from the Federal Ombudsman’s office is that it not only aims at dealing with complaints and petitions but is also bent upon going to the public for it. The Ombudsman affords an independent and cost-effective means through which complaints against various departments of government can be made and addressed in quick time so that citizens are not placed to most undue hardship because of administrative follies or oversights.
Conclusion
This is evidenced by an example of the Federal Ombudsman involvement in addressing an outrageously high electricity bill. The people are urged to run to the Ombudsman’s office to seek redress for their grievances, which in a way enriches confidence in most establishments and organizations and puts pressure on all bodies irrespective of their authority to demonstrate a higher sense of responsibility.
FAQs
Q1. What does the Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan do?
1. In Pakistan, the Federal Ombudsman deals with people’s complaints, and the UK ensures that all sections of government, for example, reduce overly high electricity tariffs.
Q2. What was the outcome of the inflated electricity bill problem in Abbottabad?
A2. The Federal Ombudsman took the action and investigated the case; as a result, the PESCO was ordered to rectify the bill, which was much higher than the consumption charges.
Q3. What was the initial and final amount of the electricity bill in the given case?
A3. The original bill of Rs. 33,100 was brought down to Rs. 19,490 after the Ombudsman’s interference, or, as we may also refer to it, intervention.
Q4. Is the Ombudsman’s service free to the public?
A4. Sure, the services provided under the Federal Ombudsman are free of charge, and the office uses public involvement to seek timely resolution of their complaints.
Q5. What can a citizen do if he or she receives an electricity bill that they think is unfair?
A5. The power consumers should present their grievance to the Federal Ombudsman so as to get the electricity bills that have been inflated or contain wrong figures adjusted fairly.