ISLAMABAD – Muhammad Zafar ul Haq Hijazi has officially taken oath as the Federal Tax Ombudsman of Pakistan. The oath was administered by the President of Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s pursuit of tax justice.
Mr. Hijazi’s appointment is said to be a new era focused on accountability, transparency, and fairness within the tax system. Widely respected for his distinguished career in public service, he assumes this critical role at a time when public trust and institutional reform are more important than ever.
Observers see his leadership as a turning point that could strengthen protections for taxpayers and bring long-awaited reforms to tax administration. With high expectations from citizens and stakeholders alike, Mr. Hijazi’s tenure is poised to redefine the relationship between the state and taxpayers.
Federal Tax Ombudsman Secretariat has extended heartfelt congratulations to H.E. Zafar ul Haq Hijazi and expressed confidence that his leadership will usher in meaningful change and ensure a more equitable tax system for all Pakistanis.
Zafar ul Haq Hijazi boasts impressive record in Pakistan’s corporate and regulatory landscape, having served as both Commissioner and Chairman of the SECP. He played a central role in updating the country’s corporate and capital market regulations, including key legislation like the Companies Act 2017 and the Securities Act 2015.
He was also instrumental in merging Pakistan’s stock exchanges into the unified Pakistan Stock Exchange, a step that contributed to the nation regaining Emerging Market status.
Through his initiatives, corporate governance, market transparency, and compliance with global standards were significantly strengthened, earning international recognition from IOSCO. He further reinforced accountability in public interest companies by establishing the Audit Oversight Board, ensuring higher standards for audit quality.
