IHC stays PIC order’s implementation

CJ puts parties to notice on plea of Islamabad Club’s management

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has halted the implementation of the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) order to disclose the area of the Islamabad Club, the terms of its lease, and the lease payment information.

The PIC's order was put on hold by the IHC until the final verdict of the case. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq issued a notice to the parties on the plea of the club management and sought their response.

It has been argued in the petition that the Islamabad Club is not a public body and does not receive public funds.

A petition regarding the status of the club is still pending before the IHC and the court has already suspended an order from the PIC regarding the provision of information about the club.

It has been prayed that the PIC’s order issued on August 9 regarding the provision of information about the Islamabad Club should be annulled because a citizen’s plea seeking information regarding a private entity was not admissible.

According to the petition, the PIC ordered to provide information based on the judgment of the Lahore High Court. In its ruling, the LHC had declared the Lahore Gymkhana as a public body.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2023.