Business Recorder
ISLAMABAD: Federal Ombudsperson Ms Fauzia Viqar represented Pakistan at the two-day International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) Conference being held at the Italian Parliament in Rome, Italy on May 28–29. In the conference, representatives of ombuds institutions and global stakeholders from 67 countries and over 150 ombudspersons including Ms Teresa Anjinho, Ombudsman for Europe, Mr. Erunc Erkan Balta Ombudsman Türkiye, Ms. Anna Bialek of Poland and other distinguished participated, said a news release issued here on Friday. In the opening session titled “New Global Challenges: Complex Administrations, Digitalisation and Citizens’ Rights,” Ms Fauzia Viqar highlighted emerging digital risks including deepfakes, manipulated images, voice cloning and synthetic explicit content used to harass, intimidate or silence women. She stressed secure evidence submission, early preservation of digital material, strict confidentiality, coordinated engagement with relevant authorities and strengthened institutional accountability in safeguarding citizens’ rights. She noted that Pakistan amended its anti-harassment law in 2022 to extend protection to freelancers, gig workers, domestic workers, home-based workers, interns, students, apprentices and remote workers. The law also recognises online and virtual workplaces. She further highlighted that the Rome Declaration reinforces shared efforts to strengthen institutional capacity in addressing emerging governance challenges. At the national level, she mentioned Pakistan’s experience through #FOSPAH reflects both the opportunities and complexities of digital transformation, with protections expanding across evolving forms of work, communication and administration. She emphasised that rights in the digital age require stronger safeguards, enhanced institutional tools and sustained focus on accessibility and accountability. Institutional legitimacy, she added, depends on whether citizens feel heard, protected and visible, with digitalisation enabling faster, safer and more humane access to justice. The address concluded with a call for continued institutional commitment to strengthening Global justice systems in the digital age.
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