Islamabad, November 10, 2024 – The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to provide a list of employees holding dual nationality or married to foreign nationals within ten days. This directive, issued under the Right to Access to Information Act 2017, is part of a case initiated by petitioner Azmat Khan, who requested transparency on dual-nationality holders within the SBP.
In the decision issued by Chief Information Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and Information Commissioner Ijaz Hassan Awan, the commission specified that the SBP Governor is required to disclose the information requested by Azmat Khan. This includes not only the list of officers and employees with dual nationality but also details about those who work with local or international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community development groups, or non-profits. Additionally, the petitioner sought details on any actions the SBP may have taken concerning employees who hold dual citizenship, are married to foreign nationals, or provide consultancy services to international NGOs or institutions.
The PIC emphasized that the information requested qualifies as a public record and falls under the Right to Access to Information Act, meaning that it should be made publicly accessible without exemption. While the SBP initially responded that such information did not fall under this act, the commission clarified that only it has the authority to make that determination, not the SBP.
The SBP filed a review appeal against this directive, claiming they had not been given a chance to present their arguments in the case. The SBP also referenced a similar case, Rana Abrar v. State Bank of Pakistan, in which the Information Commission had previously ordered the disclosure of similar information, but the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had temporarily suspended the PIC’s decision upon appeal by the SBP.
The commission, however, rejected the SBP’s claim, stating that notices were issued to the SBP and the decision was only announced after their non-appearance. Furthermore, the commission clarified that the IHC’s temporary suspension in the Rana Abrar case does not apply to this specific decision, as the SBP has not sought a stay order for this particular case in the IHC.
SBP’s Director of Legal Affairs, Khawar Rana, stated that the SBP has not yet received the official orders from the PIC. However, the commission’s ruling highlights the ongoing emphasis on transparency and public access to information within government institutions in Pakistan, setting a precedent for openness about employee affiliations and activities that may impact public interest.
