Right to information: ‘Info officers linchpin of transparency’

Web portal developed to facilitate online information requests.

PESHAWAR: The public information officer is the linchpin of transparency in the public sector, said Right to Information (RTI) Commission Chief Commissioner Sahibzada Muhammad Khalid.

“Under the RTI Act, nothing is secret. Our legislators have done a wonderful job by passing this act; now the ball is in your court,” said Sahibzada Muhammad Khalid while addressing public information officers (PIOs) at the concluding ceremony of PIO training at the Pakistan Provincial Services Academy Peshawar on Wednesday.

According to a handout issued the same day, the training was organised by the RTI department with financial assistance from Post Crisis Needs Assessment. Over 250 government officers from various departments learned their role and responsibilities as PIOs under the RTI Act. The training lasted for two days after which participants were given certificates.

At the ceremony, RTI Commissioner Professor Kalimullah asked participants to take proactive measures in ensuring public information is made available to those who have requested it as well as on their respective departments’ official websites.

“The PIOs have to ensure all information regarding official activities, including postings and transfers, official records, selection criteria, merit list and budget expenditure, are uploaded to their websites.”

Kalimullah shared that with the assistance of the Directorate of IT, a new web portal has been developed to facilitate applicants seeking information.

Justice Niaz Muhammad Khan and law expert Turab Khan Jadoon also spoke to the participants about the utility and importance of the law and the role of PIO in the implementation of the law.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2015.