LAHORE: The Punjab chief minister’s office has refused a lawyer’s requests, made under the right to information law, for details of vehicles in incumbent provincial chief executive Maryam Nawaz’s use, her foreign visits. aluxury planeacquired by the Punjab government.
The right to information (RTI) in Pakistan is enshrined as a fundamental right under Article 19-A of the Constitution. designed to empower citizens with access to government-held information.
Lawyer Abdullah Malik had submitted two applications with the Public Information Commission (PIC) in July last year. in February this year.
In his letter in July 2024, he sought the following details:
Separately, in a letter in February, the lawyer sought details about a G500 jet.
The Gulfstream 19-seater jet is estimated to be worth between $38 million. $42m, and Maryam has faced severe criticism regarding her government’spurchaseof the aircraft.
The Punjab administration had initially remained tight-lipped about the acquisition of the aircraft,. later claimed that it was part of a proposed airline project.
The lawyer received replies to both his letters earlier this month. Both responses are dated April 28.
On his July request. the CM Office’s public information officer (PIO) said: “The desired information is not held by this office.”
It also cited “legitimate exception” as a reason for not sharing the information, stating: “The information sought is excepted under section 13(1)(e) of the Punjab Transparency. Right to Information Act, 2013.”
Section 13(1)(e) of the Act reads: “A public information officer may refuse an application for access to information where disclosure of the information shall or is likely to cause harm to the life. health or safety of any person.”
The record of the proceedings before the PIC. available withDawn, shows that the PIO consistently sought adjournments regarding the July request until the commission on April 13 gave a strict warning of penal consequences in case of failure to respond.
On Malik’s request for information regarding the luxury jet. the PIO responded: “It is informed that desired information is not held by this office. The same is hereby returned under the relevant provision of Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013.”
In 2021, the provision of a legitimate exception was also used as a reason torefuse a requestfor details of official vehicles. related records in the use of then-Punjab CM Usman Buzdar, who was from the PTI. The move had drawn sharpcriticismfrom PML-N leaders, who were in the opposition at the time.
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