PIC Ruling Sparks Concerns Over Narrow Interpretation of RTI Law
Pakistan Information Commission has rejected an information request filed by journalist Saddia Mazhar seeking basic statistical data from the National Accountability Bureau regarding asset declaration compliance by its employees.
Saddia Mazhar had asked NAB for the total number of its employees, how many had submitted asset declarations, how many had not, how many employees’ assets had increased by more than 10 percent, and whether any action or inquiry had been initiated in such cases.
The request did not seek names of officers or copies of asset declarations. It was limited to numerical and institutional information. NAB did not respond to Saddia Mazhar’s information request, prompting her to file an appeal before the Pakistan Information Commission.
During proceedings before the Commission, NAB opposed disclosure, arguing that the requested information was personal and could not be provided under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
Saddia Mazhar maintained that aggregate figures could not be treated as personal information, as no individual’s identity or asset details had been requested.
However, in its May 12 decision, the Commission held that the information sought by the applicant did not fall within Sections 5 and 6 of the Act and, therefore, could not be treated as public information requiring disclosure.
The ruling has raised fresh questions about the Commission’s interpretation of the access to information law, particularly in matters involving powerful public institutions.
It is pertinent to mention that Section 13A of the Civil Servants Act requires public bodies to make asset-related information public.
The Commission has previously faced criticism for similar decisions involving institutions such as the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Senate and the National Assembly, where disclosure was denied and applicants were advised to approach the high court if dissatisfied.
The latest decision is likely to deepen concerns that Pakistan’s transparency framework is being interpreted narrowly, restricting citizens’ ability to scrutinize accountability and compliance within state institutions.
