Questions Raised Over KPCTA PRO Appointment: RTI Request Pending Since April, Complaint No. 12536 Filed

 

Musarrat Ullah Jan – Kikxnow Digital Creator

Serious questions have emerged regarding the appointment of the Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA). A citizen filed an application under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act (RTI) in April 2025, requesting documents related to the PRO’s appointment — but to date, no response has been received. The applicant has also filed a complaint with the KP Information Commission under complaint number 12536.

The information requested included: the current PRO’s name, appointment date, copies of educational certificates, the advertisement under which the position was advertised, the total number of applications received, interview dates, details of the selection committee, and certified copies of all related documents. However, since April, KPCTA has neither provided any documents nor issued an official response.

Under the KP RTI Act, public bodies are required to provide requested information within 14 days; this period can be extended up to 30 days under special circumstances. If the department fails to provide information within the stipulated time, the applicant may file a complaint with the Information Commission — and this matter is now registered under complaint number 12536.

Transparency advocates and RTI activists emphasize that the Commission must take strict action against such silence. The Commission has the authority to:

Issue notices to the concerned officials ordering information disclosure

Make binding orders to ensure compliance

Impose penalties/fines for delays or deliberate withholding of information (the law provides for daily fines)

Recommend disciplinary action or other legal measures against responsible officials if necessary

Supporters of transparency say that if KPCTA’s appointment was done fairly and transparently, it should provide the requested documents without delay. Otherwise, the Commission must impose fines and recommend disciplinary action to ensure merit and transparency in public appointments.

An RTI activist said:

"When public bodies hide information, they violate the spirit of the law. The Information Commission has clear powers — it must promptly issue notices, demand a response, and penalize unjustified delays."

Journalistic circles are raising the following questions that need answers in the public interest:

Was the vacancy advertised publicly and transparently?

How many applications were received in response to the advertisement?

Who comprised the selection committee and what are the records of the interviews conducted?

On what basis was the appointment made — and were the certificates verified?

 

When exactly was the appointment made and was the process merit-based?

✅ Demand: Immediate Action by the Commission

With complaint number 12536 now under the Commission’s jurisdiction, it is demanded that:

KPCTA be ordered to immediately provide all requested documents.

If KPCTA continues to delay, fines and disciplinary action be imposed under the law.

The Commission issue a public update regarding the actions taken and expected timeline for resolution.

Access to information under the RTI law is not only a legal right but also the foundation of transparent governance. When public bodies violate this right, it opens the door to strict accountability through the Information Commission. The ongoing silence from KPCTA since April and the filing of complaint 12536 highlight the urgent need for hearing and resolution to uphold government transparency.

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