PIC Orders FIA and Police to Ensure Safety of Female Citizen Seeking Information Under RTI Law
The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has directed the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Inspector General of Islamabad Police to ensure the safety and security of a female citizen who is exercising her Right to Information to obtain records from the FIA.
According to details, the Pakistan Information Commission held a hearing on an appeal filed by the female citizen. Munir Ahmed Advocate appeared on behalf of the applicant and informed the Commission that the appeal involved records directly related to the safety and security of a citizen. He argued that the matter should be treated on a priority basis under Section 14(iii) of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
The counsel further submitted that due to seeking this information from the FIA, his client was facing harassment and receiving life threats from some influential officers. He told the Commission that an earlier appeal had also been filed by the applicant, and in its previous order, the Commission had stated that if a fresh information request and appeal were submitted, the applicant would be provided the required information within three days, as she was facing life threats from the concerned person involved in the case.
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Munir Ahmed Advocate informed the Commission that a second appeal had now been filed by the complainant. In this appeal, she had specifically mentioned in her information request that, due to the seriousness of the matter, the response should be shared within three days under Section 14(iii) of the Act. This requirement was also clearly stated in the memo of the appeal.
During the hearing, the representative of the FIA submitted that letters had been written to the concerned quarters to obtain the required information. However, he stated that the information had not yet been received, and therefore an adjournment was sought.
In its order, the Pakistan Information Commission stated that, in view of the circumstances, a short adjournment was granted to allow the filing of comments or information, if not contested. The Commission further directed the Director General of the FIA and the Inspector General of Islamabad Police to ensure the life and liberty of the applicant in light of the circumstances mentioned in her appeal and information request.
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The Commission also ordered that copies of its decision be sent to the Director General, FIA, the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, and the Inspector General of Islamabad Police.
