Information delays frustrate advocate’s quest for agriculture market data
Six years ago, the Punjab government passed the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority Act, 2018, with the vision of boosting agricultural development and encouraging private produce markets. In theory, it was a promising step.
The Act laid the groundwork for PAMRA (Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority), tasked with implementing the law and making agriculture easier and more profitable for farmers and entrepreneurs.
Yet, Malik Ishfaq Ahmed, an advocate from Multan, feels progress has fallen short. Curious about the Authority’s progress, Malik filed an information request under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013. His request, submitted on September 1, 2024, asked PAMRA for copies of reports submitted by the field officers of each district field across Punjab. Specifically, he wanted updates on private agriculture markets. “I know of five private markets in Multan, but only one is operational,” Malik shared. “I wanted to understand the condition of these markets across all 41 districts.”
Malik hoped his request would offer a clear picture of PAMRA’s work. However, the process turned into a journey filled with frustration. Despite an order from the Punjab Information Commission, PAMRA didn’t provide the information Malik had requested. This delay led Malik to express his dissatisfaction to the Information Commission, explaining the toll of frequent travel between Multan and Lahore without progress on his request.
At a recent hearing on November 1, 2024, Shabbir Hussain, an Assistant Director and Public Information Officer (PIO) from the Director Agriculture Marketing Development Fund Punjab, appeared on PAMRA’s behalf. But Malik’s hopes for answers were dashed again. Shabbir Hussain, despite attending the hearing, did not bring the required documents. Instead, he explained that the information was supposedly with the Directorate of Agriculture (Economics & Marketing) Punjab, though they had yet to transfer it to his office.
As the delays wore on, Malik expressed frustration, especially with the frequent travel between Multan and Lahore for what felt like an elusive outcome. He urged the Commission to hold the responsible officers accountable. “I’ve been making these trips without any real answers. It’s time the officials face some consequences for the delays,” he said.
Punjab Information Commission’s recent order highlighted Malik’s concerns. On November 1, 2024, it directed both the Directorate of Agriculture (Economics & Marketing) and the Director of Agriculture Marketing Development Fund to work together. They were instructed to verify and transfer the requested documents, bringing two certified copies to the next hearing on November 7, 2024. The order stated that failure to comply could lead to penalties under Section 15 of the RTI Act, 2013 for the officials involved
PAMRA, led by its Chairperson and Director General, was designed to regulate and oversee both public and private agricultural markets across Punjab. The Authority includes representatives from various sectors, including Punjab’s Agriculture Marketing and Punjab Food Authority, three members of the Provincial Assembly (including at least one female member), and four private sector experts. Currently, Punjab has around 240 public agriculture markets across its 41 districts. However, information about these markets has remained mostly hidden, even from the general public.
