Pakistan Information Commission Orders Inquiry into Missing Record

Islamabad: The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has directed the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) to conduct an inquiry into the apparent loss of a hiring file related to house requisition of an official.

The case stems from an appellant seeking information regarding the lease agreement and other documents submitted by Khurram Raza Qureshi to claim house requisition. Mr. Qureshi was transferred from the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) to the AGP on April 17th, 2021.

The AGP, in its response to the PIC, stated that the hiring file was not received in their office. The AGP claimed the file was forwarded by Director General (Audit), Climate Change to the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) on July 4th, 2022, but the CGA denied receiving it on August 3rd, 2024.

Expressing concern about the lack of investigation into the missing file, the Commission stated, “The matter of loss of record has become a shuttlecock between DG Climate Change and CGA and no one has bothered to inquire into the matter of the loss of record.”

Since the requested information is unavailable due to the missing file, the Commission found it could not be shared with the appellant. However, they emphasized the need for a proper investigation.

The PIC has directed the AGP, as the highest authority involved, to investigate the missing hiring file for House No. 156, Street 53, Sector I-8/3, Islamabad, belonging to Mr. Khurram Raza Qureshi. The inquiry should identify the responsible party and be completed within 45 days. A certified copy of the inquiry report must be submitted to the Commission within the designated period.

The case has been adjourned until July 23rd, 2024, for the submission of the inquiry report.