Govt Appoints Zafarul Haq Hijazi as Federal Tax Ombudsman

President Asif Ali Zardari has appointed Zafarul Haq Hijazi as the new Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) for a four-year term, placing a former top financial regulator at the helm of Pakistan’s key tax grievance and oversight institution. The appointment was formally notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice, marking Hijazi’s return to public office after his earlier tenure as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The Federal Tax Ombudsman’s office was created in 2000 to provide taxpayers with a fast, fair, and independent mechanism. The body aims to address complaints against maladministration by tax authorities. Under the FTO’s mandate, individuals or businesses who feel aggrieved by decisions or actions of agencies such as the Federal Board of Revenue can file complaints. The Ombudsman investigates maladministration, can stay contested orders, and recommends corrective actions or relief for affected parties.