Once a Beacon of Transparency, KP Information Commission Now a Symbol of Inefficiency and Disillusionment
In the heart of Peshawar, there’s an institution that was once meant to shine as a symbol of transparency and accountability for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission.
Its job was simple – ensure that citizens could easily access important information from the government. It was a bold idea, meant to empower people and create a more open government.
But, as time passed, the Commission, which was supposed to be a bridge between the government and the public, became more like a distant promise—one that has yet to be fully realized. For many citizens, like Muhammad Naeem from Mardan, getting information from the government has become a long, frustrating process.
It all started in November 2022 when Naeem filed a request for information with the Central Prison Mardan. According to the law, the prison had to respond within 20 days maximum. But days turned into months, then years, and still, there was no reply. Naeem, simply asking for information, had nowhere to turn but the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission.
He filed a formal complaint, hoping the Commission would step in to ensure his rights were respected. The Commission, which was supposed to act quickly, issued several reminders to the prison to provide the requested information, but nothing changed. The matter dragged on, until finally, in April 2026—almost four years after Naeem’s original request—the Commission called for a hearing.
On April 8, 2026, the Commission heard the case. The Public Information Officer (PIO) of Central Prison Mardan, represented by Assistant Superintendent Nawaz Anwar, attended the hearing and claimed that a response had been sent to the Commission on December 31, 2025 but when the Commission reviewed the response, it was clear that it wasn’t adequate.
The Commission ordered the prison’s PIO to submit the requested information in a professional and updated manner within 10 working days.
What was supposed to be a simple process of obtaining public information had turned into a prolonged struggle for Naeem, and countless others. The Information Commission, which was meant to protect the citizens’ right to information, had become bogged down in delays and inefficiency.
This situation is not just about one man’s request—it’s about the failure of an entire system that was created to make government more transparent.
The Commission, once seen as a beacon of hope, has become a symbol of inefficiency. Its members are well-compensated, but they’re struggling to meet even basic expectations. For Naeem, and many others like him, the promise of an easy, transparent process has faded, leaving only frustration.
As the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission continues to face these challenges, the question remains: if the institution tasked with ensuring transparency can’t even provide basic access to information, can citizens ever truly expect to have their rights respected? The answer, for now, seems uncertain.
