AG blames RTI applicants after President’s Office violates law, claims they are wasting state resources!

Attorney General Ahmed Usham has criticized individuals filing Right to Information (RTI) requests, despite the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) asserting that the President’s Office has violated the law and will face regulatory action.

Numerous complaints have been raised regarding the President's Office's failure to respond to Right to Information (RTI) requests. Information Commissioner Ahid Rasheed noted that even when looking solely at the case filed against the President's Office by Raajje TV, it is evident that the office has failed to comply with the law. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) has further warned that it will take action, as the President's Office has repeatedly violated legal requirements.

Consequently, during a press conference held by the Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday, RaajjeTV questioned whether the office had issued any directives regarding state institutions' failure to comply with the law.

Responding to the question, Ushyam stated that the Right to Information (RTI) Act was established with a very significant purpose. He emphasized that it is essential to provide information to those who utilize the RTI Act in good faith.

However, Usham noted that the Right to Information (RTI) Act is frequently being misused. He stated that some RTI requests require government agencies to dedicate an excessive amount of time to process them. Nevertheless, Usham acknowledged that filing RTI requests is a legally protected right, conducted within the framework of the law.

I also believe that it is essential to provide information to those who utilize the Right to Information (RTI) Act in good faith. However, we frequently observe instances where the RTI Act is being abused. Some government agencies are forced to dedicate a significant amount of time to addressing matters arising from individuals who exploit the RTI law.

Attorney General Ahmed Usham

Usham further stated that while responding to RTI requests is of great importance, taking action against those who fail to provide answers does not fall within the mandate of the Attorney General's Office.

While taking disciplinary action for failing to respond to Right to Information (RTI) requests does not fall within the direct mandate of the Attorney General’s Office, the Attorney General’s Office Act empowers the office to issue necessary directives regarding such conduct by state institutions. Furthermore, the Act, which came into effect in 2025, explicitly states that upholding and protecting the rule of law is a core responsibility of the Attorney General’s Office.