Pakistan Information Commission orders State Bank of Pakistan to Release Employee Dual Nationality Information

The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to release, within 10 days, a list of employees holding dual nationality or married to foreign nationals in accordance with the Right to Access to Information Act 2017.

In the case of Azmat Khan vs. SBP, the PIC ordered the central bank’s governor to provide this and additional requested information.

Chief Information Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui and Information Commissioner Ijaz Hassan Awan noted that petitioner Azmat Khan sought details on SBP officers, employees, and those affiliated with local or international NGOs, community development organisations, or non-profits.

The petitioner had also asked for details of action taken by SBP against the employees holding dual citizenship, married with citizens of other countries, or providing consultancy to international NGOs and institutions.

The chief information commissioner said the information sought by the petitioner is public record and no exemption can be granted to the central bank on its disclosure under the Right to Access to Information Act.

The SBP had informed the commission in its reply that the said information did not fall under the Right to Access to Information Act. The commissioner said it was the authority of the commission to decide on this matter, not the State Bank.

The commission said the State Bank filed a review appeal against the decision to disclose the information, arguing they had not been heard in the case.

The SBP also took a position in the appeal in a similar case—RRana Abrar v. State Bank of Pakistan—the Information Commission had issued orders to provide information, but the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had suspended the commission’s orders on the SBP’s plea.

Regarding the SBP’s claim they were not heard in the case, the commission said notices were issued to them and the decision announced after their non-appearance.

The commission also said the second justification given by the SBP that the IHC issued any stay order on the decision is not correct.

This decision was not challenged by State Bank in the high court, the commission said, adding both the positions taken by the SBP in the review appeal were rejected.

Public Information Officer and Director Legal, SBP Khawar Rana, said they had not received the commission’s orders yet.