Pakistan Information Commission Demands Transparency on NA Committees’ Expenses

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has mandated the National Assembly Secretariat to disclose comprehensive details regarding the travel allowances, perks, and expenses of chairpersons and members of parliamentary standing committees and subcommittees. This directive follows an appeal lodged by journalist Saddia Mazhar, who sought transparency in the financial dealings of these committees.

The order, issued by Information Commissioner Ijaz Hassan Awan and Chief Information Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, requires the NA Secretariat to respond to 13 specific inquiries under the Right of Access to Information Act 2017 (RTI Act) within a strict deadline of 10 days. Mazhar’s information request, submitted on June 21, aimed to shed light on the functioning and financial expenditures of parliamentary committees from January 2025 onwards.

This move by the PIC underscores a growing demand for accountability and transparency within Pakistan’s legislative framework. Citizens and watchdog organizations have increasingly called for clearer insights into how public funds are utilized, particularly in light of ongoing economic challenges facing the nation.

As the NA Secretariat prepares to comply with the PIC’s order, this development may pave the way for further scrutiny of parliamentary operations and expenditures. Observers anticipate that the outcomes of this disclosure could influence future legislative practices and enhance public trust in governmental institutions.