ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has appointed Mr. Zafar-ul-Haq Hijazi as the new Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) of Pakistan for a four-year term, placing a seasoned financial regulator at the helm of the country’s key tax grievance and oversight institution.
The appointment, formally notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice, marks Mr. Hijazi’s return to public office following his distinguished tenure as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) from 2014 to 2017. His selection reflects the government’s emphasis on institutional credibility, accountability, and effective taxpayer facilitation.
The Office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman, established in 2000, serves as an independent forum for addressing complaints of maladministration by tax authorities, including the Federal Board of Revenue. The FTO is empowered to investigate grievances, stay disputed orders, and recommend corrective action to ensure fair treatment of taxpayers.
Mr. Hijazi brings extensive regulatory and governance experience to the role. As SECP Chairman, he led landmark reforms that reshaped Pakistan’s corporate and financial landscape. His tenure saw the introduction of the Companies Act 2017, strengthening corporate governance and investor protection, and the historic integration of Pakistan’s stock exchanges into a unified Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). These reforms enhanced market transparency, improved regulatory compliance, and contributed to Pakistan’s reclassification as an emerging market in global indices.
Beyond SECP, Mr. Hijazi has continued to serve in key oversight roles, including his association with the Audit Oversight Board (AOB), where he contributed to strengthening audit quality and financial reporting standards. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and has actively participated in regional and international forums such as the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) and IOSCO’s Emerging Markets Committee.
In addition to his role as Federal Tax Ombudsman, Mr. Hijazi currently serves as Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Ombudsman Association (OICOA) and President of the Forum of Pakistan Ombudsman (FPO), positioning him to strengthen both domestic and international collaboration on accountability and good governance.
Observers note that Mr. Hijazi’s deep understanding of regulatory systems, financial oversight, and institutional reform makes him well-suited to lead the FTO at a time when efficient tax administration and public trust are critical. His tenure is expected to focus on proactive grievance redressal, digital innovation, and a citizen-centric approach aimed at improving taxpayer confidence and strengthening institutional accountability.
Under his leadership, the Office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman is poised to enter a new phase of effectiveness, transparency, and reform-driven governance.
