LAHORE: The Punjab Information Commission (PIC) has issued a show cause notice to Deputy Commissioner Sargodha Hussain Ahmed Raza Chaudhry after observing that the district administration had allegedly failed to provide information sought under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2013 despite repeated directions.
According to an order, a copy of which is available with Daily Jang, in Complaint No12-5-2026-10, filed by citizen Asif Ali Raza, the matter has remained pending since May 18, 2026, while the statutory period prescribed for its disposal has already expired.
The commission observed that despite repeated directions, the record sought by the complainant had not been submitted. It said such conduct compelled the commission to infer that the respondent public body was deliberately withholding the requested information.
The order further noted that since no Public Information Officer (PIO) had been notified by the district administration, the deputy commissioner would be deemed the Public Information Officer under Rule 3(4) of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Rules, 2014.
Consequently, the commission issued a show cause notice under Section 15 of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013 to Deputy Commissioner Hussain directing him to appear before the commission on August 5, 2026, at 11am along with a written explanation as to why statutory penalty should not be imposed for the alleged failure to provide public information.
According to the application, the applicant sought complete details relating to the allotment of the land, including copies of allotment orders, revenue record, approvals, notifications, construction details, approved building plans, PC-I documents, administrative sanctions, completion reports, maps, site plans, inspection reports, official correspondence and all other relevant records maintained by the district administration.
The applicant also requested information regarding the total area allotted to Rescue 1122, the authority approving the allotment, the extent of land currently under construction or operational use, details of vacant or unutilised land, and certified copies of records concerning any litigation, inquiry, investigation or administrative proceedings related to the property.
