Legislation: Punjab, K-P urged to enact freedom of information act

Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) has urged K-P and Punjab governments to initiate process for legislation on access to information.

This was stated by PCP Chairman Raja Shafqat Abbasi in separate letters written to the chief secretaries of the two provinces, stated a press release.

After insertion of Article 19-A in the constitution through the 18th amendment, every citizen has the right to access information in all matters of public importance, stated the letters. The federal as well as provincial governments are obliged to ensure the free flow of information, wrote the PCP chief.

The right to information is essential for good governance and enactment of law relating to access to public information is a pre-requisite for ensuring transparency, Abbasi wrote.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2012.