National Assembly paid lawyers Rs35m to keep lid on Right to Information requests
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Secretariat paid over Rs35 million to private lawyers between 2022 and 2026, ostensibly to argue for the suppression of information in cases involving the release of details under Right to Information (RTI) laws. According to information made public in compliance with an order of the Pakistan Information Commission, the highest annual expenditure was recorded in…
The National Assembly Secretariat allocated more than Rs35 million to private lawyers between 2022 and 2026, ostensibly to argue against the release of information under Right to Information (RTI) laws. The highest annual expenditure was in FY2022-23, when Rs20.4 million was paid to eight lawyers. Subsequent payments totaled Rs2.64 million in 2023-24, Rs11.1 million in 2024-25, and Rs1.61 million in FY2025-26.
The National Assembly's 10 special counsel were engaged during the PTI administration, with Advocate Ahsan Bhoon receiving the highest payment of Rs9.9 million in 2024-25. The litigation arose from appeals in RTI cases, and the National Assembly challenged these notices before the Islamabad High Court. While there is no indication of wrongdoing, the expenditure raises questions about fiscal responsibility, as the Attorney General for Pakistan traditionally serves as the principal law officer of the federation.
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