Right to information reaffirmed

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed that access to information was a fundamental and democratic right of every citizen, emphasising its vital role in ensuring transparency, accountability and good governance.

In their separate messages to mark the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), both leaders underscored that free and equitable access to reliable information is a cornerstone of democracy and a prerequisite for meaningful citizen participation.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message, highlighted the pressing challenge of misinformation and fake news in the digital age. He warned that the distortion of truth through such means posed a grave threat to social cohesion, undermined national unity and eroded public trust in institutions.

"Timely and accurate access to information empowers citizens and enables them to actively participate in the national development," the President Secretariat quoted him as saying. Calling for responsible journalism, he stressed that accuracy and timely dissemination of facts were essential to sustain democratic stability.

"A well-informed society forms the foundation for transparency, development and justice," he said, urging all public institutions to strengthen mechanisms that guarantee access to information in an effective and transparent manner.

Zardari also appealed to citizens to refrain from spreading unverified content on social media platforms, noting that such practices fuelled confusion and weakened democratic discourse.

He called on government institutions, civil society and the media to work together in cultivating a culture of accuracy, accountability and openness.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, reaffirmed the government's "unwavering commitment" to every citizen's fundamental right to seek, receive and share information. He said equitable access must be ensured for all segments of society, with particular attention to women, youth and marginalised communities.

Calling information a "powerful tool for transparency, accountability and empowerment," he stressed that the free flow of information strengthens governance, fosters inclusion and builds trust between the state and its people.

"Only informed societies can truly move towards peace, justice and sustainable development," the Prime Minister's Office quoted him as saying.

Shehbaz also outlined steps taken by Pakistan to safeguard the right to information, including legislative measures and institutional reforms. He cited the establishment of the Pakistan Information Commission under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, as an example of progress, noting its quasi-judicial role in facilitating public access to information and addressing citizens' complaints. Efforts were also underway, he said, to digitise public records to enhance accessibility and preservation.

Underscoring the collective responsibility of stakeholders, the prime minister urged government bodies, civil society organisations, the media and technology platforms to work hand in hand to create a more transparent, open and knowledge-based society. "By doing so, we can empower our people, strengthen our democracy and accelerate Pakistan's journey towards development and prosperity," he added.

The International Day for Universal Access to Information, observed globally on September 28, aims to highlight the role of information in advancing accountability, justice, sustainable development and inclusive governance. The theme for the 2025 observance focuses on the vital importance of timely, comprehensive, and cross-border access to environmental information in an increasingly digital world.

With input from APP