Participants of a seminar organised by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency (PILDAT) have demanded immediate appointment of Punjab Information Commissioners (PICs) and facilitate more effective usage of RTI across the Punjab by the citizens They said posts of PICs have been vacant since March 2017.
The speakers were speaking at a briefing session on Effective Right to Information in connection with PILDAT's project: Enhancing Empowerment of Women and Minorities of South Punjab through effective use of RTI Law, with the support of USAID small grants and Ambassador's Fund Programme. The briefing session and closing ceremony were organized by PILDAT in collaboration with the Punjab Information Commission (PIC).
Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director PILDAT, said that the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act (PTRTIA) 2013 is an important landmark in the quest for transparency and accountability of the public bodies. However, the law has not been effectively utilized across the Punjab. PILDAT has continued to support the effective utilization of right to information in Punjab, as in other provinces.
Naeem Malik, Deputy Director, PIC, said that the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013 is functional even though Information Commissioners posts are vacant at the PIC. He said that the PIC has received 4000 applications, all of which, except 400, are resolved by the PIC.
Professor Kalim Ullah, Former Information Commissioner, KP said that India has the strongest track record in leading and implementing RTI legislation.
This happened because of a fierce grassroots movement led by Indian peasants and farmers - Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan - who demanded freedom of information and transparency and linked it to their "right to live" and now their CSOs and media play a very active role in promoting this right.
Ahmed Raza Tahir, Former Information Commissioner, PIC, sharing perspectives on Effective use of RTI Law in Punjab, said that during his tenure at PIC, government functionaries were fined for not providing information regardless of their scale and designation.
Senior journalist Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami suggested that PILDAT should propose an amendment in Punjab RTI law that should ensure that sitting Information Commissioners should continue in their posts until New Information Commissioners are appointed by the government.
The briefing session and project closing ceremony were attended by 90 participants including local government representatives, women, representatives of non-Muslim minority rights organisations, civil society organisations working to promote citizens rights, peace and tolerance and media representatives.