The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has levied a fine equivalent to ten days’ salary on the Director of Excise and Taxation, Islamabad for not disclosing information pertaining to alcohol permits and sales within Islamabad.
In August 2024, citizen Saddia Mazhar sought information from the Excise and Taxation Department on the permit holders of liquor, beer purchases as of January 2023, licensed establishments selling alcohol, the excise duty collected, and the total consumption by these license holders.
However, upon no response from the department, Mazhar moved to the Pakistan Information Commission. The Commission issued show-cause notices to the Director, but no representative appeared, nor was the requested information provided. A final show-cause notice was issued on November 14, 2024, but still, no action was taken.
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In its order on November 26, 2024, the Commission real fiddle concerns about deliberate obstruction of the Act’s implementation and also mentioned that this kind of conduct undermines the law’s purpose, which provided transparency and accountability. The officer was given enough time to wait for a reply but failed to comply or appear. The Commission excused itself in order to give an opportunity for a public official to provide information but in vain.
Thus, the Commission sanctioned a punishment of keenness, which equates to the amount of salary of ten days for the Director of Excise and Taxation for deliberately delaying or holding back the information. The Commission directed the Chief Commissioner, Islamabad Capital Territory, Secretary, Ministry of Interior, and Accountant General Pakistan Revenues to ensure compliance with the order. Notices have been issued to these authorities to report compliance at the next hearing.
Consequently, the Pakistan Information Commission reiterates its pledge of committing to the principles of transparency and accountability as embodied in the enactment of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.