Bannu's Closed Doors: The Battle for Transparency at the Sports Complex

musarrat ullah jan -

 

Musarrat Ullah Jan – KikxNow… Digital Creator

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's heart, a defining tenet of democracy—the right to know—is being put to test in the Bannu Sports Complex. What was to be a simple exercise in participatory democracy has become a frustrating wait, as a citizen's essential request for public interest information is left without an answer, casting doubt on public affairs' transparency.

On 14th July, a citizen of concern, exercising all their rights under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information (RTI) Act 2013, requested in-depth information on the shops within Bannu Sports Complex. It wasn't an off-the-cuff question; it was a highly specific request intended to bring insights on the management and allotment of precious public resources.

The request carefully set forth a succession of essential questions, all of them in the interest of the public:

A comprehensive list of all shops established within the complex.

The date of allotment, the procedure followed, and the specific conditions of each lease.

The rent for each shop, the name of the tenant, and the term of the agreement.

Crucially, whether the allotment process involved an auction or public advertisement, along with supporting evidence.

Detailed information on newly allotted shops between 2023 and 2025.

Any documents related to complaints of irregularities or illegal practices in allotments.

A complete record of rents collected for the last three years.

Under the RTI Act, the Directorate of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and District Sports Officer Bannu were obligated under law to respond to the information request within 10 days, or at the very least, provide a written reason for denial. Up to July 29th, however, a dire 15 days have lapsed. The citizen, having given complete contact information so that communication would be easy, has not received a single response, no update, no acknowledgment.

This stonewalling only amounts to a delay; it's only a challenge to the letter and spirit of the Right to Information Act itself. Legal professionals are unequivocal: such extended silence is a direct contravention of the constitutional right of a citizen. They point out that in such situations, citizens are well within their rights to take legal recourse by approaching the Information Commission with an appropriate complaint.

The public as well as civic circles are now calling for immediate action. The demand is straightforward but immense: follow the law, furnish the information, and deliver the transparency so essential for public confidence. The inability to respond to the Bannu Sports Complex shops creates more than just suspicions of possible malpractices; it also dilutes the very mechanism that is supposed to promote accountability within public institutions. The people of Bannu, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at large, expect answers.

#BannuSportsComplex #RightToInformation #RTIAct2013 #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #PublicTransparency #CitizensRight #PendingRTI #AccountabilityNow #SportsDepartmentKP #ShopsAllotmentScandal #KPGovt #InformationBlocked #kikxnow #musarratullahjan

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