ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by the National Assembly Secretariat challenging an order of the Pakistan Information Commission regarding the provision of details related to parliamentary standing committees.
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the case. Advocate Hafiz Arafat, counsel for the National Assembly Secretariat, argued before the court that details of National Assembly sessions or standing committees could not be provided. He added that a ruling by the Speaker also existed on the matter.
“The speaker’s ruling states that information regarding proceedings of any session cannot be provided,” the counsel submitted. He further contended that petitioner Sadia Mazhar had sought the information through email.
“Information requested through email cannot be responded to unless the identity of the requester is disclosed. She never appeared during the proceedings before the Pakistan Information Commission,” the lawyer said.
Advocate Qasim Bhatti, counsel for petitioner Sadia Mazhar, argued that the speaker’s ruling in the matter had been issued on October 4, six to eight months after their case had been filed.
“The Speaker cannot issue a ruling under the Act,” he contended. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its verdict.
