The Federal Ombudsman, Mr. Naveed Karman Baloch has initiated a series of measures to bring about long term improvements for enhancing the core capacities and public service delivery operations of the organization. Specific directions were issued to the officials concerned alongwith the timelines to report concrete progress with regard to the proposed Health Centre, IRD Library and early recruitment of staff for the vacant positions.

The HWM was informed that one contract for the Health Centre had been received and another was expected shortly; work was likely to commence within a few days and take approximately three weeks. The official concerned reported that four final 3-D designs for the Clinic had been prepared and approved in principle. The dispensary estimate was approximately Rs. 8.5 lac. It was decided that building-related works, including washrooms, would be undertaken by OWM from its own funds through the prescribed quotation procedure.

The HWM sought an update regarding the proposed inauguration of the IRD Library. Dr. Syed Asif Hussain, Executive Secretary, AOA and Head IRD/GCOP, informed the meeting that all installations and arrangements, including plates, library displays and frames, had been completed and the programme was ready, subject to finalization of the date. Coordination with the concerned officers would be completed accordingly.

The DG Coordination, reported that the National Assembly MOU had been prepared, approved and forwarded to the National Assembly and was presently with its legal team. Digital connectivity was 100% complete: the portal had been installed and training/testing completed; the manual had been supplied and the MOU forwarded. The HWM directed that a review meeting be held at the National Assembly office with the Office’s team to finalize inauguration arrangements. The Office’s part was complete and action/response from the National Assembly was awaited.

Preparations for presentations were reviewed. The activity would commence from the first week of September 2026. It was decided that presentations would be prepared separately according to the relevant audience/function, rather than as one generic presentation, with the concerned officers contributing their respective functional portions.

The DG Administration, presented the revised floor-wise office reorganization plan to consolidate scattered Wings, improve coordination, facilitate complainants/visitors and optimize space. The plan covered the proposed placement of Administration, Registration, Appraisal, Implementation, Investigation, Media, IRD, Business Facilitation and AOA Secretariat functions, including the conference/committee rooms and Executive Secretary’s office. It also incorporated departed/new officers and took into account room sizes, security, crowd management and functional requirements.

Two options were considered: completion of workstations before shifting, or immediate Wing-wise reorganization while workstation procurement proceeded separately. Full workstation procurement could take 2-3 months. The Consultant concerned reported that the earlier contractor had declined after approximately 21 days. Complete renovation was estimated at approximately Rs. 5 million, while the proposed minimum essential option was approximately Rs. 2.4-2.5 million. The HWM directed that the workspace should be simple, functional, clean and economical, with proper workstation placement and transparent procurement. Three/four design and material options, with comparative cost and durability, were to be presented by Tuesday. A prototype could be replicated. Shifting was to be undertaken step-wise, preferably using weekends/temporary arrangements.

The DG Administration further reported total HR of 919, comprising 408 Article 8 and 511 Article 20 employees (approximately 44% and 56%, respectively). Regular sanctioned strength was 778, comprising 408 working and 370 vacant posts. Of the vacant posts, 285 were for direct appointment and 85 for promotion. After exclusions relating to litigation, outsourcing/dying cadre and other adjustments, approximately 80 posts were potentially advertisable; after further adjustments, approximately 73 posts could be advertised. The recruitment process would cover identification/quota verification, approval and recruitment/testing mode, advertisement/shortlisting, interviews and finalization. Indicative timelines were 3 weeks pre-advertisement, 3 weeks advertisement, 5-6 weeks shortlisting, 4 weeks interviews and 2 weeks finalization/offer letters, i.e. approximately 4-5 months overall.

Re-designation of posts, particularly APS/Stenographer posts, was considered due to shortage of suitable shorthand candidates; approximately 15 posts had remained vacant in the previous exercise. Data Entry Operator posts were identified for consideration. The HWM observed that such isolated re-designations could be processed under the existing rules without comprehensive amendment. DG Admin was directed to submit the proposal within the week.

Against the foregoing HR position, the HWM recalled that the extensive HR/cadre restructuring exercise was aimed at balancing the regular and contractual sides, addressing manpower gaps, strengthening the institutional character of the Office and providing a structured career path for regular officers. The existing reliance on Advisors/Senior Advisors for additional manpower further highlighted the need for a stronger regular cadre. The HWM emphasized that the structure should enable officers to progress beyond BS-20, rather than reach a career ceiling without a corresponding higher channel.

The restructuring exercise accordingly examined the streams and posts to be retained, re-designated or created and ways of strengthening the regular cadre. It was discussed that, in the longer term, regular officers recruited at BS-17/18 and onwards could provide a feeder stream for Investigation and gradually replace Article 20 employees performing Investigation functions, where appropriate. The HWM, however, clarified that this was a long-term objective and should not delay recruitment. Recruitment would therefore commence immediately under the existing Service Rules, with complete transparency, merit and procedural defensibility. The HWM directed Secretary OWM, DG Admin and DG Coordination to work out and proceed with the recruitment proposal, utilizing the existing service rules for direct recruitment.