- Directive issued under the case of Azmat Khan v. State Bank of Pakistan.
- SBP's appeal was dismissed by the captain for lack of just cause.
- SBP's legal team is awaiting formal orders regarding disclosure from the PIC.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) on Saturday asked the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to submit a list of its employees who hold dual nationality or are married to foreigners in 10 days under the Right to Information Act. It was ordered to be made public within the next few days. 2017, news Reported.
In the case of Azmat Khan v. SBP, the PIC ordered the central bank governor to provide this information and any additional information requested.
Chief Information Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and Information Commissioner Ijaz Hassan Awan state that petitioner Azmat Khan is an SBP officer, employee, and local or international NGO, community development organization, or non-profit organization. It pointed out that it is seeking details about the people involved.
The petitioner also cited actions taken by the SBP against employees who hold dual citizenship, are married to nationals of other countries, or provide consulting to international NGOs or organizations. We also asked for details.
The Chief Information Commissioner said the information sought by the complainants was a public record and the central bank could not be granted immunity from disclosure under the Right to Information Act.
In its reply to the committee, the SBP had informed that the information in question is not subject to the Right to Information Act. He said it was the commission's prerogative, not the State Bank, to decide this issue.
The commission said the state bank had filed a review of the decision to disclose the information, claiming it had not been heard in the case.
SBP also took a stand on appeal in a similar case, Rana Abrar v. State Bank of Pakistan. The Information Commission had issued an information order, but the Islamabad High Court (IHC) stayed the commission's order on a plea by the SBP.
Regarding SBP's contention that they were not heard in this case, the commission said notices were issued to them and the decision was announced after their non-appearance.
The commission also said that the SBP's second justification that the IHC had issued any suspension order based on this decision was incorrect.
The commission said the decision was not challenged by the State Bank in the High Court, adding that both the stands taken by the SBP in the reconsideration petition were rejected.
Public relations officer and legal director Kawal Rana said he had not yet received the commission's order.
