The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has taken action against senior officials of multiple federal public bodies for repeatedly failing to comply with information requests submitted by citizens under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. The Commission issued show-cause notices under Section 20(1)(f) of the Act, which empowers it to initiate proceedings against officials who fail to discharge their duties.
Several officers received these notices after repeatedly missing scheduled hearings and failing to respond to public information requests despite receiving multiple reminders. Among them is a case involving Appeal No. 3875-08/24, filed by Farooq Dawood against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry’s designated officer, who also serves as its spokesperson, requested additional extensions following numerous previous adjournments. The PIC observed that these delays were obstructing the appeal’s resolution and issued a show-cause notice demanding an explanation. The same official was also issued a separate notice in his role as the Ministry’s Public Information Officer. The Secretary of the Ministry has been informed that if no reply is received, the Commission may decide the case without further input.
In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, show-cause notices were served to other high-ranking officials, including the Chief Executive Officer of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), the Executive Director of the Federal Government Polyclinic Postgraduate Medical Institute, the Managing Director of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), and the Public Information Officer of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). These officials were cited for failing to attend PIC hearings and for not providing the requested information despite being issued several notices.
The PIC emphasized that such persistent non-compliance delays the public’s right to access information, violating the legal requirements of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, which protects citizens’ constitutional right under Article 19-A of Pakistan’s Constitution.
