The Regional Meeting and International Conference 2025, under the auspices of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), was held in Lahore, hosted by the Provincial Ombudsman Punjab and IOI Vice President Ayesha Hamid.
The meeting and conference brought together delegates from Macao, Bahrain, Timor-Leste, Japan, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Austria, Gibraltar, Indonesia, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Papua New Guinea.
The participants engaged in discussions on promoting good-governance, enhancing transparency, ensuring adherence to the rule of law, protecting rights of the people and rectifying injustices done to a person through the effective role of the Ombudsman offices.
The conference was the first-ever such conference held in Pakistan, and during the meeting issues directly affecting the people at gross-root levels were discussed at length. The delegates exchanged their experiences, through formal and informal interactions, towards making ombudsman offices more effective.
The International Conference opened with the theme “Strengthening the Rule of Law through Ombudsman Institutions.”
The Session I focused on “Making the Rule of Law Accessible: The Ombudsman as a Bridge between People and Government.” Delegates discussed how Ombudsman offices serve as vital institutions ensuring justice, trust, and accountability remain accessible to all.
The Session II of the International Conference addressed “Ensuring Accountability and Good Governance in Public Administration.” Speakers and delegates reflected on approaches to strengthen transparency and institutional responsibility, reinforcing the role of Ombudsman offices in advancing trust in governance.
The delegates enjoyed the ambience of the city of Lahore, by visiting historical places like Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Wazir Khan Mosque, Shahi Hamam and Faqir Khana Museum as well as the flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah Border. The delegates had ample opportunity to enjoy Lahore’s culinary delicacies at Food streets and at modern restaurants of Lahore.
The participants, having enjoyed every moment of their stay in Lahore, praised the city, its people, and the officers and officials of the Ombudsman Office Punjab, who made their visit a truly memorable experience. The delegates expressed deep appreciation for bringing together people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, contributing to a meaningful change in the lives of many.