PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Office of the Ombudsperson for Women has reported substantial progress in women’s rights protection, fast-track justice, and institutional reforms between October 5 and November 28, 2025. Under the leadership of Ombudsperson Ms. Rubab Mehdi, the Secretariat achieved several national milestones and gained international recognition for advancing women’s property rights and strengthening workplace protections.
During the reporting period, the Secretariat held multiple high-level engagements with national and global organizations. UN Women Pakistan reviewed a draft Memorandum of Understanding focused on expanding collaboration for women’s protection. Federal Ombudsperson for Protection of Women Ms. Fauzia Waqar praised the Secretariat’s performance in addressing harassment complaints. The World Bank Country Director was also briefed on gender responsive governance, while the President of the Forum of Ombudspersons described the KP Secretariat as a model institution. Provincial Minister Mr. Fazal Shakoor Khan commended the office for its digital reforms and improvements in public service delivery.
Ombudsperson Mehdi also addressed students at Frontier Law College and delivered a keynote speech at an international webinar, a move officials said reflects Pakistan’s growing recognition in the field of administrative justice.
Operationally, the Secretariat maintained an active daily cause list of around 80 cases and resolved more than 75 during the period. Seventeen field commissions were conducted across urban, rural, and remote regions, resulting in property settlements, immediate possession for women, corrections in revenue documents, and a significant land inquiry in Kohat.
Interdepartmental coordination also advanced, with 33 referrals processed through the Police, FIA, NCHR, Social Welfare and Revenue Departments, Gender Desks, District Administration, and pro bono lawyers. These included cases involving domestic violence, harassment, child protection, forced marriage, cybercrime, FIR issues, and police misconduct.
Officials noted that the period marks a pivotal phase for the KP Ombudsperson’s Office, underscoring its expanding national role, rising international visibility, and concrete contributions to strengthening women’s rights and improving access to justice across the province.
