The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab was honoured to participate in the Public Protector South Africa’s 30-Year Anniversary International Conference, held under the theme “30 Years of Strengthening Constitutional Democracy – A Transformative Journey.”
Representing Pakistan, Ms. Ayesha Hamid, Ombudsman Punjab, and Second Vice President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) as well as IOI Asian Regional Director, joined distinguished leaders and representatives of ombudsman institutions from across the world to commemorate three decades of the Public Protector’s contribution to constitutional democracy, accountability, and good governance.
The conference brought together global experts, policymakers, and oversight institutions to reflect on the evolution of ombudsmanship, the role of independent accountability bodies in safeguarding citizens’ rights, and the ongoing global pursuit of justice, equality, and institutional resilience.
Ms. Ayesha Hamid also participated in a high-level interactive panel discussion on “Designing ‘Capture-Proof’ Institutions – A Multi-Sectoral Approach.” The session explored strategies for ensuring the autonomy, transparency, and effectiveness of oversight institutions, emphasizing the need for strong governance safeguards and cross-sectoral collaboration.
The panel included:
- Mr. Luis Gabriel Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
- Mr. Andries Carl Nel, Deputy Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development
- H.E. Mr. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa
- Ms. Nompilo Kholeka Gcaleka, Public Protector of South Africa
- Ms. Ayesha Hamid, Ombudsman Punjab, Pakistan
The participation of the Ombudsman Punjab in this international forum reaffirmed Pakistan’s active engagement within the global ombudsman community and its commitment to advancing the principles of constitutional democracy, human rights, and accountable governance through dialogue, collaboration, and shared institutional learning.
