IHC seeks Attorney General’s Assistance in Ombudsperson Authority Case

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jun, 2026) The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday issued a notice to the Attorney General if Pakistan seeking assistance on an important legal question regarding the delegation of powers by the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment.

Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued a written order while hearing a petition filed by Dr. Rizwan Taj, challenging an order of the harassment ombudsperson dated October 10.

The court suspended the impugned order and identified a key legal issue for consideration: whether the Chairperson of the Anti-Harassment Ombudsperson can legally delegate her statutory powers to another official.

According to the petition, the authority exercised by the Ombudsperson was allegedly used by a Senior Legal Advisor, who, the petitioner contends, lacks the legal competence to exercise such powers.

The petitioner further argued that the Ombudsperson’s powers are personal and statutory in nature and cannot be delegated under the law. Counsel maintained that even where a law appears to allow delegation, such delegation cannot override or violate the parent statute.

The petition asserts that the Senior Legal Advisor exercised the powers of the Ombudsperson unlawfully, rendering the impugned proceedings and order without legal authority.

Advocate Jahangir Khan Jadoon represented the petitioner before the court.

The matter remains pending adjudication before the Islamabad High Court.