Balochistan grapples with right-to-know delays

Seminar speakers fervently call for establishment of information commission

QUETTA:

During a seminar conducted by the Center for Peace and Development Initiative (CPDI), a diverse group comprising members of Information Commissions, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media, academia, and government officials collectively emphasized the urgent need for the implementation of the Balochistan Right to Information Act 2021 and the establishment of the Balochistan Information Commission.

This concerted effort represents a significant stride towards fostering transparency and accountability in governance. Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, the Executive Director of CPDI, underscored a critical point – although the act mandates the establishment of the commission within 120 days, three years have passed without its appointment.

Despite citizens retaining the right to information, the absence of the commission compels individuals to seek information through the courts when not provided, highlighting the pressing need for the prompt establishment of the commission to streamline the right-to-information process.

In his opening remarks, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Chief Information Commissioner of the Pakistan Information Commission, emphasized the importance of the RTI Act as a sunshine law, essential for transparency and accountability. While acknowledging the enactment of the Balochistan RTI Act 2021, Siddiqui stressed that its efficacy hinges on the expeditious formation of the Balochistan Information Commission.

Read: Right to information eludes Balochistan

Dr. Jawaid Ali, Chief Information Commissioner of Sindh, shared the challenges faced in RTI implementation and underscored the need for heightened awareness to eliminate secrecy in both Sindh and Balochistan.

Farah Hamid, Chief Information Commissioner of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa RTI Commission, addressed administrative hurdles and the secretive mindset of government officials and departments. She also affirmed K-P’s pioneering status in enacting the RTI law, emphasizing the collective commitment to advancing transparency across provinces.

Mahboob Qadir, Chief Information Commissioner of Punjab, joined the voices and encouraged the audience to exercise their fundamental human right to know.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2023.