Check the Wafaqi Mohtasib Complaint Rules in Pakistan: 3 Month Limit, No Proxy, No Anonymous Complaints

A complaint to the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman) must be filed within 3 months of the grievance, by the person affected, with a name on it. It costs nothing and needs no lawyer. The office's FAQ says the usual time to decide is 60 days. It only covers federal government bodies, and it will not take matters that are in court.

We read the Wafaqi Mohtasib's FAQ, its "Who can lodge a complaint" page and its "Making a complaint" page on 14 October 2026. We did not file a complaint.

You have 3 months to file, with room for good reasons

The FAQ says a complaint must be filed within three months of the cause of the grievance. It adds that exceptions may be made when there are reasonable grounds for the delay. So a late complaint is not dead, but you will need to explain the delay in writing.

Count from the day the department acted or failed to act. If you were told "come back next week" five times, write the date of the first refusal and the date of the last one. A short dated list is better than a long story.

The FAQ also says it is advisable, not mandatory, to complain to the department first. That can solve the problem at the department's level and save time. Our guide to the Wafaqi Mohtasib covers the office in general, and this page focuses on the rules that can reject a complaint.

The person affected must sign, and anonymous complaints are not taken

The FAQ answers two questions in a flat "No". The Mohtasib does not investigate anonymous complaints. And no one can complain on another person's behalf. The complaint must come from the aggrieved person, or from a legal heir or representative if that person has died.

This catches families. A son cannot lodge a complaint about his father's pension, for example, while the father is alive. The father signs, and the son can help with papers. Ask the helpline on 1055 how your case should be signed.

The "Making a complaint" page adds a safeguard. If your complaint is not on WMS Form A, it must carry a solemn affirmation with four statements. They are that the facts are true to your knowledge, that you filed no earlier complaint on the subject, that no court or tribunal case is pending on it, and that you made a representation to the agency that was ignored or unjustly rejected.

Four kinds of matters are outside its power

The FAQ lists what the Mohtasib cannot take. These are matters that are before a court, foreign relations, defence, and service matters. A service matter is a personal complaint by an employee about their own job in the agency where they work.

A dispute with a provincial office goes to a provincial ombudsman, such as the Ombudsman Punjab. A complaint about a bank has its own office, explained in the Banking Mohtasib guide.

File in person, by post, email, online, app or fax

The FAQ lists six ways to file at the head office or a regional office: in person, by post, by email to complaints@mohtasib.gov.pk, online on the Wafaqi Mohtasib website, through the Android mobile application, and by fax. No fee is charged. A lawyer is not required.

The FAQ says to keep the complaint short and factual, with dates, names and details, plus the department's reply, a copy of your CNIC, your address and your phone number.

1. Write a brief statement of facts with dates and names.
2. Add the department's reply or your earlier letters.
3. Attach a copy of your CNIC with your full address and phone number.
4. Fill WMS Form A, or add the four-point affirmation.
5. File by one of the six routes and keep proof of sending.
6. Note the date you filed, so you can follow up when the 60 days pass.

The office says it acknowledges in 48 hours and decides in 60 days

The FAQ says the office first checks whether the complaint is within its power, and the complainant gets an acknowledgement within 48 hours. If it is admitted, an investigation starts and both sides can present their view with papers. The complainant can join by video link or phone instead of travelling.

The FAQ gives a statutory limit of 60 days, and says complicated cases can take longer. Our guide to challenging an ombudsman decision covers the 30 day appeal to the President if you disagree.

The office's pages do not fully agree on receipts. The FAQ says acknowledgement within 48 hours. The "Making a complaint" page says a receipt is issued at once for a personal filing and within 72 hours for other routes. We cannot say which figure is current, so keep proof that you filed. If no receipt arrives in three days, call 1055.

Common questions about Wafaqi Mohtasib complaint rules

What is the time limit for a Wafaqi Mohtasib complaint?

Three months from the cause of the grievance, according to the FAQ. It allows exceptions when you give reasonable grounds for the delay.

Can I file for my father or husband?

Not while the affected person is alive, per the FAQ. The aggrieved person files, or a legal heir or representative if that person has died.

Does it cost anything?

No. The FAQ says no fee is charged and a lawyer is not needed. You can plead the case yourself.

Can I complain about my own employer in the government?

Not if it is a service matter. The FAQ lists personal grievances about service in the agency where you work as outside the Mohtasib's power.

Can I file by email?

Yes. The FAQ lists complaints@mohtasib.gov.pk, along with in person, post, online, the Android app and fax.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked 14 October 2026. The limits, filing routes and timelines come from the Wafaqi Mohtasib FAQ, its "Who can lodge a complaint" page and its "Making a complaint" page at mohtasib.gov.pk. The 48 hour and 72 hour receipt figures differ between pages, as noted. We have not filed a complaint, and the six steps combine the pages' advice in our own order.