The Pakistan Information Commission has determined that Islamabad Club qualifies as a public body under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017 and has directed the club to disclose detailed records to a citizen requester. The decision was announced by Chief Information Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui and Information Commissioner Ijaz Hassan Awan.
The ruling follows an information request by Saddia Mazhar seeking data on total membership and membership criteria, leases of properties and outlets, events held at Rawalpindi Gymkhana Club, affiliated trainers and their salaries, audit reports, land holdings and any government funds or grants received since January 2024.
The Islamabad Club initially contested the request, arguing that the applicant had no locus standi because she was not a member, that some matters were pending before the Islamabad High Court, that the club did not receive federal funding and that it lacked a juristic personality. The commission rejected those objections and emphasised that every Pakistani citizen has the right to access information held by public bodies regardless of membership status.
The commission examined the club’s situation and found that, under Sections 2(ix)(a), (b) and (h) of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, Islamabad Club meets the definition of a public body because it benefits from state land and is administered in part by government‑appointed authorities. The applicant noted the club occupies 352 acres of state land on a nominal lease of Rs. 1 per acre, a point the commission considered relevant to public interest. The PIC also noted the club was initially formed as a company limited by guarantee but is now administered under the Islamabad Club (Administration) Ordinance, 1978, which provides for a management committee and government-appointed administrator, and that the President of Pakistan is the club’s patron.
After reviewing submissions the commission concluded the requested documents are public records and that the Islamabad Club had not invoked any exemptions under the Act. The only excluded item was details of events at Rawalpindi Gymkhana Club, which the commission said is a separate entity. The Secretary of Islamabad Club has been directed to provide the requested information to Saddia Mazhar and to the commission within 10 days. The ruling reinforces that organisations managing public resources and government-appointed management are accountable under Pakistan’s transparency laws and must respond to information requests about the Islamabad Club.
