ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has imposed a penalty equivalent to 30 days’ salary on Atiq Ur Rahman, Chief Engineer of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, under Section 20(1)(f) of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
According to the Commission’s order, the penalty was imposed over the continued failure to submit a written response to a rejoinder and a show-cause notice, as well as non-appearance before the Commission.
The order stated that on July 7, 2026, no one appeared before the Commission to file a reply to the rejoinder. The Commission subsequently issued a show-cause notice to Atiq Ur Rahman, directing him to submit a written reply to the notice and a response to the rejoinder.
On July 28, 2026, Atiq Ur Rahman appeared in person before the Commission. On his request, he was granted an opportunity to file both the reply to the rejoinder and the reply to the show-cause notice.
However, on the next date of hearing, the Commission noted that neither a written reply had been received nor had anyone appeared before it on behalf of the concerned official.
The Commission further noted that its office attempted to contact Atiq Ur Rahman on his official telephone number, but the call reportedly remained unanswered.
In its order, the Commission observed that failure to submit a response to the show-cause notice and non-appearance before the Commission reflected an irresponsible attitude. It held that the continued failure to respond showed that no defence had been presented by the Chief Engineer and that sufficient grounds existed to proceed against him under Section 20(1)(f) of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
The Commission concluded that the delay in submitting a reply to the rejoinder had been deliberate and had affected the timely disposal of the appeal. It, therefore, imposed a penalty equivalent to 30 days’ salary on Atiq Ur Rahman.
The Commission directed the Director General, Military Land and Cantonment Department; the Accountant General, Pakistan Military Accounts Department; and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, to deduct the equivalent of 30 days’ salary from Atiq Ur Rahman’s salary and submit a compliance report before the next date of hearing.
In addition, the CEO of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board was directed to submit a written reply to the rejoinder. The Commission warned that, in the absence of such a reply, the appeal would be decided in accordance with the law.
The matter was adjourned till September 2, 2026, when the case is scheduled to be taken up again.
