ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry has refused to explain the Information Commission, why it is not providing CCTV footage bearing on the kidnapping of journalist Matiullah Jan.
Earlier the Ministry had refused to even acknowledge the request of petitioner former Senator Farhautllah Babar and the letter by the Information Commission to respond to the petitioner.
The hearing was held today before the 3-member Information Commission headed
by Chief Commissioner Mr Muhammad Azam and comprising of Commissioners Zahid
Abdullah and Fawad Malik in its office in Islamabad.
Pleading before the Commission Senator Farhatullah Babar referred to section5 (l) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act which declares as public document “camera footage at
public places, wherever available, which have a bearing on a crime”.
He said that kidnapping of Matiullah Jan was a criminal act and Interior Ministry as incharge of the capital police was obligated under the law to provide the footage.
Farhatullah Babar hoped that if the footage was provided to him he would with the help of experts be able to identify the perpetrators of the crime and the vehicles used in the kidnapping.
Senior Journalist Matiuallah Jan was kidnapped on July 21 last from near the Government Girls Scholl G-6/1-3 in Islamabad.
The Senator Farhatullah Babar on July 22 asked for the footage but drew no response. After reminder which too went unacknowledged he approached the Information Commission to address his grievance under section 17 of the RTI Act.
The Information Commission took up the matter with the Interior but it also drew no response upon which the Commission issued notice for personal attendance of the representative of Interior Ministry.
At today’s hearing however no officer from interior ministry showed up leaving Farhatullah Babar alone to argue his case before the 3 member Commission.
Arguing his case Farhatullah Babar said that the InteriorMinistry had not only blatantly disregarded a lawful request made by him but also committed contempt of the Commission by refusing to send its representative at today’s hearing. Referring to various section of the law he urged the Commission to give its verdict in the case.
Farhatullah Babar stated that if the Ministry will not give the footage, he as a petitioner, will demand minutes recorded on the official file dealing with the case.
He highlighted that under section 7 (a) of the RTI Act noting on the files after the final decision had been taken is a public document and the interior will have to provide it to him.
The Information Commission after hearing the arguments has reserved its verdict which under the law it will have to announce within ten days. (With input from INP)
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