# Federal office ignoring you? Complain to the Mohtasib. > File a complaint about maladministration by a federal agency in English, Urdu or a regional language, in person, by post, e-mail or online (Wafaqi Mohtasib Regulations 2013, reg. 3). The Mohtasib must decide it within 60 days (FOIRA 2013, s.9(5)). - Topic: Courts and procedure - For: Citizens - A 11-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/federal-office-ignoring-you-complain-to-the-mohtasib - Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-12 ## Myth or fact? What people usually think. - **Myth: Only a court can fix a problem with a government office. That means lawyers and years.** - **Fact: For maladministration by a federal agency you can complain to the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman). The law gives 60 days to decide (FOIRA 2013, s.9(5)).** ## What counts as maladministration? Lahore High Court, PLD 2019 Lah. 169. - **The test** Action of an agency that appears unreasonable, unjust, oppressive or arbitrary. - **The case** A gas company refused a job under its employee's son quota. The Mohtasib and then the President ruled for him. - **The result** The company's writ petition was dismissed. ## How to file. Regulation 3(1), Wafaqi Mohtasib Regulations 2013. - **Any language** English, Urdu or any regional language. - **Any way** In person, through a representative, by post, courier, fax, e-mail or online. - **Any office** The Head Office or a Regional Office. ## Quick quiz. How long? Guess first, then swipe for the answer. - **A. No time limit** - **B. 60 days** - **C. Two years** ## Answer: B. Section 9. And the agency gets 15 days to reply. > "(1) The Agency shall, if so required by the Ombudsman submit written comments in a complaint within fifteen days, and this period may be extended for a further period of seven days on a sufficient cause. … (5) The Ombudsman shall dispose of the complaint within a period of sixty days." (Federal Ombudsmen Institutional Reforms Act, 2013 · Section 9) ## They must help you. Regulation 3(5) and 3(6). - **Drafting help** The official receiving it must help you draft the complaint and fill Form A, if you need it. - **Translation** A complaint in a regional language is translated into English or Urdu. - **Diary number** Your complaint is entered and you get an acknowledgement. ## Before you file. Not on Form A? Add a solemn affirmation (Reg. 3(4)). - **True** The allegations are true to the best of your knowledge and belief. - **First time** No earlier complaint on the same subject. - **No court case** Nothing pending on it before any court, tribunal or board. ## Not happy with the decision? Section 14, FOIRA 2013. - **Within 30 days** File a representation to the President. - **Directly** Addressed to the President, not through any Ministry or Division. - **In 90 days** It must be decided. The order stays suspended for 60 days meanwhile. ## Stuck with an office? Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it. - **A federal office has not moved my pension file for a year. Can I complain to the Wafaqi Mohtasib?** - **Draft a complaint to the Wafaqi Mohtasib against a federal agency.** ## What this does not mean - The Wafaqi Mohtasib deals with maladministration by a federal agency, not with provincial offices. - The solemn affirmation under Reg. 3(4) states there is no earlier complaint on the same subject and nothing pending on it before any court, tribunal or board. - The 60 day limit in FOIRA 2013 s.9(5) is for the Ombudsman to decide the complaint, not a deadline for you to file. ## Questions people ask ### How to file a complaint with the Wafaqi Mohtasib in Pakistan? You can file in English, Urdu or any regional language, in person, through a representative, by post, courier, fax, e-mail or online, at the Head Office or a Regional Office (Wafaqi Mohtasib Regulations 2013, reg. 3(1)). ### How long does the Wafaqi Mohtasib take to decide a complaint? The Ombudsman must dispose of the complaint within 60 days (FOIRA 2013, s.9(5)). The agency gets 15 days to send written comments, which can be extended by 7 days on sufficient cause. ### What is maladministration by a federal agency? The Lahore High Court described it as action of an agency that appears unreasonable, unjust, oppressive or arbitrary (PLD 2019 Lah. 169). ### Do I need a lawyer to complain to the Mohtasib? The regulations say the official receiving the complaint must help you draft it and fill Form A if you need it (Reg. 3(5)). A complaint in a regional language is translated into English or Urdu. ### Can I appeal against the decision of the Mohtasib? Yes. Under FOIRA 2013 s.14 you can file a representation to the President within 30 days, addressed directly to the President. It must be decided in 90 days. ## Sources - Federal Ombudsmen Institutional Reforms Act, 2013 · Section 9: Expeditious disposal of complaints --- Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. FAI Media is part of FAI Legal (https://failegal.site), research on Pakistani statutes and judgments. Free to watch and read.