The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has ordered the National Assembly Secretariat to disclose detailed financial records of parliamentary committees. The directive covers travel allowances, meeting expenses, perks and other privileges provided to committee chairpersons and members.
The commission issued the order after journalist Saddia Mazhar filed an appeal over the Secretariat’s failure to provide complete information. Information Commissioner Ijaz Hassan Awan and Chief Information Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui issued the directive.
Under the order, the National Assembly Secretary must answer 13 outstanding questions within 10 days. The information must comply with the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
The commission also scheduled implementation proceedings for November 19 to examine whether the Secretariat follows its instructions.
Journalist Seeks Details of Parliamentary Committees’ Expenditure
The matter began on June 21, when Saddia Mazhar submitted an information request to the National Assembly Secretariat. She sought details about parliamentary committees’ operations and financial expenditures from January 2025 onwards.
Her request covered several aspects of parliamentary activities, including:
- Lists of standing committees and their subcommittees.
- The total number of meetings conducted by these committees.
- Overall expenditure incurred on committee meetings.
- Travel allowances paid to committee chairpersons and members.
- Details of perks, privileges and additional payments received by lawmakers serving on these committees.
However, the journalist did not receive a satisfactory response from the National Assembly Secretariat. Consequently, she approached the Pakistan Information Commission on July 5.
During the proceedings, National Assembly Litigation Officer Sehrish Mushtaq represented the Secretariat.
Information Commission Finds Responses Incomplete
The National Assembly Secretariat submitted responses during the proceedings and shared them with the applicant. However, Mazhar maintained that most of her questions remained unanswered.
She explained that the Secretariat had addressed only the first question concerning the list of standing committees. Meanwhile, the remaining 13 questions still required specific answers.
After reviewing the submitted material and information available on the National Assembly’s official website, the commission acknowledged that some parliamentary records were already publicly accessible.
Nevertheless, the available information did not adequately address the journalist’s specific requests.
“The information provided does not meet the specific requirements set out in the information request,” the PIC stated.
The commission emphasised that public institutions must provide clear, objective and specific answers under the RTI Act. This responsibility remains applicable even when related information already appears on official websites.
Accordingly, the PIC directed the National Assembly Secretary to answer questions numbered 2 to 14 within 10 days.
National Assembly Secretariat Given 10 Days to Disclose Details
The commission’s directive requires the Secretariat to provide complete responses to all outstanding questions.
The requested information includes financial details concerning parliamentary committee meetings, members’ travel allowances and additional benefits.
Moreover, the November 19 implementation proceedings will allow the commission to review compliance with its order.
The development highlights the importance of transparency in parliamentary spending. It also reinforces citizens’ ability to seek information about public institutions and government expenditure.
What Does the Right of Access to Information Act Say?
The Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, provides Pakistani citizens with a legal mechanism to request records from public bodies.
Under Section 11 of the Act, any Pakistani citizen can submit an information request to the designated official of a public institution.
The law requires applicants to identify the requested information or record clearly. They must also provide a complete address and contact details for receiving the requested material.
Section 11 states:
“Any written request which identifies the information or record sought in sufficient detail, to enable the public body to locate it and which includes a complete address and contact details for delivery of the information or record, shall be treated as a request,”
The legislation also identifies several categories of information that public bodies must disclose.
These include details concerning licences, allotments, benefits, privileges, contracts and agreements issued or entered into by public institutions.
Therefore, information about financial benefits and privileges provided to parliamentary committee members falls within the broader framework of public accountability.
The Pakistan Information Commission’s latest directive now requires the National Assembly Secretariat to address the journalist’s unanswered questions. The November 19 proceedings will determine whether the Secretariat has complied with the disclosure order.
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