PIC penalises official

The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has imposed a fine equivalent to ten days' salary on the Islamabad Excise and Taxation Department director for failing to disclose information requested under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.

According to sources, in August 2024, a citizen, Saddia Mazhar, submitted an information request to the Excise and Taxation Department, seeking details regarding alcohol permits and sales in Islamabad.

The requested information included the total number of alcohol permit holders, beer purchases by these license holders since January 2023, a list of establishments licensed to sell alcohol, excise duties collected from these establishments, and the total supply made to these license holders.

Despite the request, the Excise and Taxation Department failed to respond.

Following this non-compliance, Saddia Mazhar filed an appeal with the PIC