ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has directed the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) to conduct an inquiry into the apparent loss of a hiring file related to the house requisition of an official.
The case arose when an appellant sought information regarding the lease agreement and other documents submitted by Khurram Raza Qureshi to claim house requisition. Mr. Qureshi was transferred from the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) to the AGP on April 17, 2021.
In response to the PIC, the AGP stated that the hiring file had not been received in their office. According to the AGP, the file was forwarded by the Director General (Audit), Climate Change to the CGA on July 4, 2022. However, the CGA denied receiving the file on August 3, 2024.
The Commission expressed concern over the lack of investigation into the missing file, stating, “The matter of the lost record has become a shuttlecock between DG Climate Change and CGA, with no one bothering to inquire into the matter.”
Due to the unavailability of the requested information because of the missing file, the Commission found it could not be shared with the appellant. Nevertheless, they emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.
The PIC has instructed the AGP, as the highest authority involved, to investigate the missing hiring file for House No. 156, Street 53, Sector I-8/3, Islamabad, belonging to Mr. Khurram Raza Qureshi. The inquiry should identify the responsible party and be completed within 45 days. A certified copy of the inquiry report must be submitted to the Commission within this period.
The case has been adjourned until July 23, 2024, pending the submission of the inquiry report.
