FPSC directed to disclose details of 'low-merit candidates'

Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) has ordered Chairman Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) to disclose the particulars of low merit/failed candidates in the test/written examination for appointment as Judicial Members (BS-21) in Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue. The order came after a taxpayer citizen named Waheed Shahzad Butt lodged a complaint with the PM Citizen Portal to the prime minister against FPSC chairman, alleging that the commission was trying to hide crucial information solely to “provide egregious benefits to criminals of the nation”. Butt had approached the commission after the appellate authority denied access to the details on the account of privacy. Read IHC reserves verdict in SC employees’ information case In its order, the PIC stated that although the word ‘personal privacy’ was not defined in the law governing the right of access to information, the sanctity of personal privacy must be attached to the information related to the person of an individual. It explained that personal privacy included the CNIC, phone number, bank account number, address or any other information related to the family of the individual. However, it did not include the detail of tests, interviews and merits of competition or examinations. The information concerning the complete particulars of low merit/failed candidates in the test/written examination/interview cannot be termed as classified or matter of private privacy rather become public record, the order added. “Transparency in the working of the governments is the essence of the law. Its spirit is to ensure that the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have access to the records held by the federal public bodies for making the government accountable to the people.” The commission said allowing access to information would improve the participation of the people in public affairs aimed at reducing corruption, nepotism, misuse of authority and inefficiency in the governance. The appeal is allowed.

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