The Right to Information (RTI) Commission Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has fined 15 institutions including two journalists' bodies for refusing the provision of information to individuals. The commission has also issued show-cause notices to 31 other organizations for non-compliance and adopted delaying tactics in provision of required information. All information regarding the activities of the commission is available on the official website of the organization.
The penalized institutions beside, two journalists' bodies also include Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM), University of Haripur (UoH), Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital, Bannu, District Police Officer (DPO) Hangu, Central Police Office (CPO) Peshawar, KP OGCL, District Health Officer (DHO), Peshawar, Emergency Rescue 1122, Assistant Director Local Govt & Rural Development, Karak and Assistant Director, Public Information Officer (PIO), Local Govt, Karak.
A penalty of Rs 25000 (twenty five thousand only) has been imposed on the KPOGCL for not producing the Minutes of the meeting of Board of Directors of the company held on 30th December, 2014 and 16th April, 2015 before the commission.
On failure to produce the Minutes, a notice was served to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the company as to why action shall not be taken against him under Section 26 (3h) (b) of the Right to Information Act, 2013. On his not responding, the commission in exercise of powers conferred by Section 26 (3) (b) of the RTI Act, 2013 imposed a fine of Rs 25000/- on him. In the order the PIO KPOGCL was further directed for the payment of the amount of fine to the complainant Musa Kaleemullah, as compensation.
Similarly, on the complaint of Professor Mairaj Khan, the Registrar, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Sher Alam Khan had also been fined to tune of Rs 25000 (twenty five thousand only) for not providing information to the complainant.
The commission had issued a show-cause notice to PIO Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan. But, neither any reply was sent in response to the said notice nor has any information been provided to which the commission in exercise of powers conferred under Clause (b) of sub-section (3) Section 26 of the RTI Act, 2013 imposed a fine of Rs 25000 (twenty five thousand only) upon Sher Alam Khan, Registrar/PIO of the university concerned.