How a Female Journalist’s Quest for Information Sparked Action Against Islamabad’s Excise Director
Islamabad: A female journalist from Sahiwal, a distant district in Punjab, embarked on a journey for transparency that led to an unexpected showdown with government bureaucracy. It all began in August 2024, when a female journalist, Saddia Mazhar, submitted an information request to the Excise and Taxation Department of Islamabad.
The request was simple yet crucial: details about alcohol permits and sales in Islamabad. What followed was a frustrating tale of inaction, bureaucratic silence, and a relentless fight for the truth.
The journalist sought vital information, including the number of alcohol permit holders, the volume of beer purchased by them since January 2023, the list of licensed establishments selling alcohol, excise duties collected, and the total supply made to these permit holders. It was a straightforward request that should have been met with a timely response. But instead, the Excise and Taxation Department chose to remain silent.
As the days passed with no reply, Saddia Mazhar, an advocate for accountability, filed an appeal to the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC), a body established to ensure citizens’ right to access information. The PIC responded swiftly, issuing notices to the Director of Excise and Taxation, demanding a response. Yet, the Director remained elusive. No representative showed up, and the requested information was still withheld.
As weeks turned into months, the Commission’s patience began to wear thin. In November 2024, a final show-cause notice was issued under Section 20(1)(f) of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. The notice, which was also sent to the Ministry of Interior, carried a clear message: comply or face consequences. Still, the Excise Director failed to respond.
By November 26, the Pakistan Information Commission had seen enough. In a bold and decisive move, the Commission fined the Director of Excise and Taxation, imposing a penalty equivalent to ten days’ salary. The decision came as a direct response to the Director’s willful delay and obstruction in disclosing the requested information.
The Commission’s ruling wasn’t just about imposing a fine. It was a stern reminder of the purpose behind the Right of Access to Information Act: to ensure transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of public office.
The Commission had given the Excise Director every opportunity to comply. Notices had been sent but the Director’s continued refusal to cooperate had undermined the very principles the Act stood for.
The Commission made it clear that this wasn’t the end. It directed the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory, the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, and the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues to ensure compliance with the order.
Further notices are issued to these authorities, compelling them to report on the progress of the case at the next hearing.
The Pakistan Information Commission’s decision was more than just a fine; it was a victory for the citizens of Pakistan, reminding them that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable.
As the Commission continues its fight to uphold the principles of the Right of Access to Information Act, one thing is certain: no one is above the law when it comes to accountability.