The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission has issued a show cause notice to the Director General of Health Services, citing repeated failures to comply with the province’s Right to Information Act. This development comes after the health department allegedly ignored citizens’ requests for public information and failed to attend scheduled hearings aimed at addressing these transparency concerns.
Thirteen citizens formally complained that the Department of Health Services in Peshawar had refused to provide information that should be publicly accessible under the law. In response, the Information Commission summoned the department’s Public Information Officer to attend a hearing and submit the necessary documentation. However, neither the officer nor any departmental representative appeared at the proceedings.
The Commission reported that it had made several attempts to engage with department officials prior to the hearing, but these were consistently disregarded. Asghar Khan Afridi, the previously designated Public Information Officer, denied responsibility for the role when contacted, while another official, Naeem, failed to address the issue, instead deflecting accountability to others. The Commission described the department’s response as obstructive and a violation of professional standards.
Invoking its powers under the KP Right to Information Act, the Commission delivered a show cause notice directly to the Director General of Health Services. The DG is now required to provide a written explanation within seven days, detailing why legal action should not be taken for failing to promote compliance and transparency within the department.
The Commission underscored that neglecting transparency requirements erodes public trust and compromises the effectiveness of information laws. The decision to pursue formal action against a senior departmental official highlights the Commission’s commitment to enforcing accountability, potentially setting an example for the handling of future transparency violations within provincial government departments.
