Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the importance of merit, transparency and professionalism in public service recruitment.
President Asif Ali Zardari said this while receiving the FPSC Annual Report 2024 from Chairman FPSC Lt. Gen. (Retd) Akhtar Nawaz Satti, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The President said the FPSC plays a vital role in promoting good governance by ensuring that competent, talented and deserving individuals are selected to serve the country in professional and technical positions.
The President expressed appreciation for the reforms undertaken by the Commission to improve its internal systems and move towards a more efficient and paperless recruitment process. He asked the Commission to continue upholding merit, transparency and professionalism and safeguard the public trust it has earned over the years.
The President was informed that during 2024, the Commission recommended 1, 816 candidates for appointment against vacancies in different Ministries and Divisions under General Recruitment. A total of 1, 722 vacancies were advertised, against which 274, 566 fresh applications were received. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla was also present during the meeting.
Meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari has called for stronger mechanisms to monitor compliance with the decisions and recommendations of Federal Tax Ombudsmen, stressing that relief provided to complainants should be meaningful and effective.
The President made these remarks while talking to Federal Tax Ombudsman Zafar-ul-Haq Hijazi, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr to present the Annual Report 2025.
He said the Federal Tax Ombudsman is playing an important role in diagnosing, investigating, redressing and rectifying injustice caused by maladministration in the administration of federal tax laws.
The President also called for greater use of new technology tools to ensure expeditious resolution of complaints.
The President was informed that 37, 160 fresh complaints were registered with the FTO during 2025, while 35, 830 complaints and cases were disposed of. Refund claims in excess of Rs. 13, 000 million were also decided and the due amount paid to aggrieved taxpayers by the FBR. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla was also present during the meeting.
Meanwhile President Asif Ali Zardari has asked Banking Mohtasib Pakistan to expand public awareness about its services to help banking customers protect themselves against fraudulent activities.
He said this while talking to Banking Mohtasib Pakistan Sirajuddin Aziz who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr and presented the Banking Mohtasib's Annual Report 2025.
The President noted that information technology is playing an important role in modern banking services, and lack of knowledge is making customers vulnerable to fraudulent activities.
He asked the Banking Mohtasib to especially facilitate women, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, low-income communities and other vulnerable groups in accessing justice.
The President was informed that the Banking Mohtasib received 35, 130 complaints in 2025, while 13, 793 complaints had been brought forward from the previous year. Of the total 48, 923 complaints in hand, 36, 280 were addressed and disposed of, with relief amounting to Rs. 1, 879. 766 million provided to banking customers.
The President was further informed that 21, 392 new complaints were received from 1 January to 30 June 2026, compared with 16, 915 during the same period last year. During the first half of 2026, 18, 482 complaints were disposed of, providing monetary relief of Rs. 762. 76 million to banking customers. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla was also present during the meeting.