KARACHI: Access to information from public bodies is a fundamental right of citizens guaranteed under Article 19A of the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016 provides that every citizen may exercise the right to acquire information and/ or record held by any public body. Any officer/official, who violates the provision of the Act, is liable to be penalized. Dr. Jawaid Ali, Chief Information Commissioner, Sindh Information Commission, Government of Sindh said this in his Order dated 28.01.2025. 

There was a complaint filed before him by Waqar Ahmed Siddiqui invoking the constitutional right enshrined under Article 19A of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with Section 8 of the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016 desired to seek information from the Designated Official/ Awais Taj Arain, Cooperative Department, Government of Sindh through an information request which was received by the office of the Registrar on 25.11.2024.  His required information about the Lucknow Cooperative Housing Society, Korangi Karachi was to provide administrator wise periodic audit report since 16.03.2023 till date which also includes; Job title and the contract address of each administrator.

List of transferred plots, issued NOCs, list of salaried appointments and details of agreements, if any, during their tenure. Provide progress of the pending elections. What action has been taken against the administrator Muhammad Shakeel for his disobedience of the High Court status-quo viz amenity plot No. ST-29, by signing a tenancy agreement for his own pocket and the legal position of such agreement.

What else legal action has been taken against the Ex-management for gross illegalities and abuse of power and funds of the society as disclosed in their supersession notification dated 16.03.2023. After not receiving any response from respondent within stipulated frame of time limit as required under section 8(3) of the Act, the complainant stated and submitted reminder/ internal review before the Secretary, Cooperative Department Government of Sindh on 19.12.2024.  The Complainant feeling aggrieved over not providing the requested information and record from the respondent within the stipulated frame of time limit provided in the Act, preferred to submit an appeal dated 20th January, 2025 before the Sindh Information Commission. 

Dr. Jawaid Ali, Chief Information Commissioner directed the respondent to appear in person before the Commission or through Designated Official on 10-02-2025 along-with the requisite information and give convincible reasons as to why the requisite information had not been provided to the complainant in the stipulated time given in the Act. However, the Registrar Coop Societies or his designated officers were so far failed to execute his Order and provide the required information.