Ahid counters AG’s claim, says there is 'no evidence' the RTI Act is being abused

Information Commissioner Ahid Rasheed said Wednesday that he has seen “no evidence of systemic abuse of the RTI Act by requestors”, responding to Attorney General Ahmed Usham’s claim that the law is being misused under the guise of seeking information.

Attorney General Usham earlier said the RTI Act is being “abused” in the name of access to information.

In a post on X, Ahid said that while vexatious requests may occur in isolated cases, they are not a trend.  

He wrote:  

“We have seen no evidence of systemic abuse of the RTI Act by requestors. Vexatious requests may exist in isolated instances, but they are not a trend. Mute refusals (where public authorities simply do not respond to RTI requests) are far more prevalent than vexatious requests.”

We have seen no evidence of systemic abuse of the RTI Act by requestors. Vexatious requests may exist in isolated instances - but they are not a trend. Mute refusals (where public authorities simply do not respond to RTI requests) are far more prevalent than vexatious requests. https://t.co/WORJEChBXi

— ahid rasheed (@aahidrasheed) May 6, 2026

Responding further, Ahid said no government ministry has fully complied with its legal obligation to proactively disclose information under the RTI Act.  

He added:  

“And no govt ministry has yet fully complied with proactive disclosure obligations under the law. I invite @AGO_mv to engage with our data. Check our annual reports and the implementation assessment. Strengthening RTI compliance benefits everyone, including public authorities.”

Usham had also highlighted that the failure of agencies to provide information remains a serious issue. He said even the President’s Office does not respond to RTI requests. According to statistics released by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICOM) last year, 487 out of 712 complaints were filed because agencies failed to provide any response at all.

Most of these complaints were directed at the President’s Office. In some cases, ICOM itself was asked to provide information but did not do so for extended periods.

There have also been repeated complaints that ministries do not disclose information properly even when formally requested. Homeland Security and Technology Minister Ali Ihusaan previously said he supports introducing a fee for information requested under the RTI Act.