An open book: Info dept discloses public records

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Information and Public Relations has disclosed its public records on its website. This was stated by the directorate on Thursday. The decision was taken as per Section 5 of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act 2013. Under this provision, all public bodies must publish information in an up-to-date and accessible manner. The category of information includes details of budgets, expenditures and subsidy and benefits. “It also includes contact details of those who have received concessions, permits and licences.” The secretary of the information department has termed this “proactive disclosure” an obligation on all public bodies. It added Executive Director of Centre for Governance and Public Accountability (CGPA) Muhammad Anwar urged all public bodies across the province to save time and government resources.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2015.