Karachi: The Sindh High Court has adjourned the hearing of a constitutional petition challenging the Provincial Ombudsman Act 2020 for five weeks. The petition was filed by Altaf Shakoor, chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party, and is being pursued by Advocate Khurram Lakhani. A two-member bench, consisting of Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry and Justice Abdul Mubeen Lakho, presided over the proceedings.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, the Sindh government’s public prosecutor requested more time during the hearing, prompting the court to grant the adjournment. The petition argues that the law, which places the Sindh provincial ombudsman under the control of the Chief Minister, facilitates corruption by the provincial government. Altaf Shakoor alleged that the Chief Minister withdrew the ombudsman’s powers in an attempt to conceal corrupt activities. Shakoor emphasized the need for the ombudsman to operate independently to ensure transparency and impartiality.

Advocate Khurram Lakhani expressed hope that the powers of the ombudsman would be restored to the Governor of Sindh. He contended that the bill, which passed without adherence to the provincial assembly’s code of conduct, undermines the ombudsman’s ability to act without external pressure. The petition seeks to challenge the legitimacy of the law that enables the cabinet to oversee corruption investigations involving its own members.