ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has issued show cause notice to the Director General of the National Saving Centre over persistent non-compliance with the Commission’s order, raising serious concerns about transparency and adherence to the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
The case originated from an information request filed by a citizen, Munir Ahmed, on July 4, 2024. He had requested a copy of the Special Audit Report for four branches of the National Saving Centre: Mirpur, Pindi Gheb, Rawalakot, and Jehlum. Under the RTI Act, the public body was legally required to respond within 10 working days.
However, after receiving no response within the mandated timeframe, Munir Ahmed filed an appeal with the Pakistan Information Commission. Following due process, the Commission issued a binding order on October 8, 2025, directing the Director General of the National Saving Centre to share the requested audit reports.
Despite the passage of over five months, the National Saving Centre has neither implemented the order nor challenged it before the Islamabad High Court, as allowed under the law within a 30-day period.
In light of this, the Commission has served a show cause notice to the Director General under Section 21(1)(f) of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, demanding an explanation for non-compliance. The notice also cites Section 20(1)(f) of the Act, which empowers the Commission to “impose on the official a fine equivalent to his salary for one day, for a maximum of a hundred days, who has acted willfully to obstruct any activity which is required to be undertaken by this Act; including preventing or delaying the disclosure of information to an applicant.”
The Commission emphasized that its order remains unimplemented despite the legal obligation to comply or challenge within a set period, indicating a willful obstruction on part of the National Saving Centre.
The matter is now set for further hearing on April 29, 2025, at the Pakistan Information Commission, where the Director General is expected to justify his actions and avoid potential penalties under the law.
