Islamabad — In a candid and reflective interview with PTV, the 9th Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan, Mr. Naveed Kamran Baloch, spoke about his professional journey, his humility before his achievements, and the values that have guided a career spanning nearly four decades of public service.
Mr. Baloch, who took the oath of office in March 2026 as Wafaqi Mohtasib, brings with him an extensive record of service at both the federal and provincial levels, along with international exposure through higher education in the United Kingdom and the United States. He has represented Pakistan as Executive Director of the World Bank and has served as President of the Asian Ombudsman Association, in addition to being an active member of several allied international bodies.
Opening the conversation, the Federal Ombudsman was asked to reflect on the achievements of his career before turning to the vision and roadmap for the institution he now leads. His response set a tone of humility rather than self-congratulation.
“All I can say is that in reality I was not capable of this,” Mr. Baloch remarked, tracing his career back to October 22, 1985, when he joined the civil service academy. He described everything that followed as being possible only through the grace and mercy of Allah Almighty.
The Ombudsman paid particular tribute to his parents, especially his mother, whose prayers he credited as central to whatever he was able to achieve. He acknowledged that hard work had been a constant companion throughout his career, but was equally candid in admitting that mistakes were made along the way — mistakes for which he sought forgiveness and repentance, trusting that Allah Almighty had guided him to where he stands today.
Asked about the foundation of his professional success, Mr. Baloch offered a perspective that many in public service would find instructive: that his greatest investment was not in personal ambition, but in human relationships.
“If there was any investment, it was in human relations,” he said, noting that this, in his view, was a key factor behind the confidence placed in him by the President of Pakistan in appointing him to the office of Federal Ombudsman.
He further expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for recommending him for the position, describing the appointment as an honour bestowed upon him — and, above all, an opportunity granted by Allah Almighty.While the interview began with a reflection on personal journey and achievement, it set the stage for a broader discussion on the Federal Ombudsman’s vision for the institution — its roadmap, priorities, and the role it aims to play in strengthening governance and public accountability across Pakistan.
Mr. Baloch’s remarks reflected the measured, faith-centred, and people-oriented approach that has come to define his public persona — one shaped by decades of administrative experience, international training, and a career built, in his own words, on the strength of relationships and the mercy of the Almighty.
