The participants of a mass meeting and District Roundtable Consultation held under the auspices of Development, Environment, Legal Aid, Technical Support and Advocacy Association recommended more amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Law 2013. DELTA, a private consultation firm aims at improving engagement between citizens and government in order to promote good governance in Pakistan.
DELTA, under a USAID grant conducted several consultations on countering corruption and improving transparency and accountability mechanisms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As per Article 19-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, it is the fundamental right of all citizens to have access to information at federal and provincial levels. The KP government's newly promulgated RTI Act 2013 is a bold attempt to bring transparency to the province.
Nazlee Sardar, President of DELTA, recommended the following amendments to be made to RTI Law at District Roundtable Consultation held at Charsadda Press Club on Monday.
1: The Information Commission comprises representatives from the legal fraternity and civil society but does not have media representation. The media is in the forefront in highlighting issues regarding corruption. Hence a member from the media must be included in the Information Commission alongside other members.
2: The lower courts as well as the high courts should not be exempted from application of the law.
3: It is necessary that the judiciary also made accountable, as per international practice. In this regard a special information cell should be created within the courts, to provide valid information.
4: This RTI Law should also be copied and enacted at national level through national legislation.
5: The rights provided under this law, should also be provided to the residents of FATA.
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