The Government of Pakistan, established the Federal Ombudsman in 1983 in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution of the country. The Provinces followed suit and established Provincial Ombudsmen. Thus Pakistan joined the international club of countries having the office of Ombudsmanship as a critical component of welfare states with adequate focus on service delivery at national and sub-national levels. Sectoral needs lead the government to establish the office of specialized Ombudsmen for Tax administration, Insurance and Banking sectors.

The Office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman was established in year 2000 [Organogram]

Legislations

• The Establishment of the Office of Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000
• Investigation and Disposal of Complaints Regulations, 2001

Charter and Functions

"Disposal of complaints of tax maladministration promptly, justly, fairly, independently investigated, and to rectify any injustice done to a taxpayer by actions of the tax employees of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)/Revenue Division, Government of Pakistan."

The Ombudsman’s institution in Pakistan is not that compete with the courts, or act as a further body to which those unsuccessful in the courts can appeal