IHC reserves verdict on NA plea against information commission order

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reserved its decision on a petition filed by the National Assembly Secretariat against an order of the Pakistan Information Commission concerning the provision of details related to parliamentary standing committees.

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan heard the matter.

During the hearing, Advocate Hafiz Arafat, representing the National Assembly Secretariat, argued that information about National Assembly sessions or standing committees could not be shared. He told the court that a ruling by the Speaker was already in place on the issue. "The Speaker's ruling states that information regarding proceedings of any session cannot be provided," the counsel submitted before the court.

Petition challenges information commission order

The case before the IHC relates to a challenge mounted by the National Assembly Secretariat against an order issued by the Pakistan Information Commission. According to the petition, the dispute concerns whether details of parliamentary standing committees can be provided.

At the hearing, the Secretariat's counsel maintained that such material falls within information that cannot be disclosed. He also argued that the same restriction applies to details of assembly sessions.

The court did not announce an immediate ruling and instead reserved its verdict after hearing the arguments presented on behalf of the petitioner.

Court hears arguments from NA Secretariat

The proceedings on Tuesday focused on the position taken by the National Assembly Secretariat in its challenge to the commission's order. Advocate Hafiz Arafat told the court that the Speaker's ruling governs the matter and bars the release of information concerning the proceedings of any session.

No further details of the order under challenge or the timeline for the verdict were stated in the report. The development marks the latest step in the legal proceedings over access to information linked to parliamentary business and standing committees.

The matter was taken up by Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, who reserved the judgement after hearing the submissions made during the hearing.