ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has directed that the Secretary of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) ensure that electricity Closure schedules are made publicly available through online platforms and other accessible forums.
In a letter penned by the Assistant Director of PIC, the Commission emphasized the critical role of transparency in governance, as enshrined in the preamble of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. The Act aims to enhance government accountability, improve citizen participation in public affairs, and uphold good governance and human rights.
The letter highlighted the inconvenience caused to the public due to unannounced power disruptions, whether for maintenance or other operational reasons. To address this, the PIC invoked Section 5 of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, which mandates public bodies to publish and upload information about their services on the internet.
Furthermore, Section 20 grants the Information Commission the authority to enforce compliance with the Act.
“Closure of essential services is an important piece of information for the people,” the letter stated. It proposed that strong instructions be issued to the Secretary of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) to direct all the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to share advance notice of power Closure s within their respective areas.
The Commission warned that failure to comply with this directive could lead to action under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
The PIC’s intervention underscores the importance of proactive information dissemination in mitigating public inconvenience and ensuring transparency in essential services.
