ISLAMABAD: The Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) has welcomed the proposals of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting regarding establishment of an independent and autonomous information commission at the federal level and providing legal protection to whistleblowers.

A statement issued by CRCP secretary general Mian Abrar Hafeez praised the committee and the information ministry for including almost all proposals presented by the commission during a recent roundtable discussion on the Federal Right to Information (RTI) Bill and the role of ombudsmen.

Keeping in view the poor state of governance, transparency and accountability, all provinces should take steps to enact effective RTI laws.

He said Sindh and Balochistan should follow the precedent set by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and now the centre by amending old and ineffective laws.

Mian Abrar said the right to information law was a strong tool to improve governance, eradicate corruption and enhance transparency and accountability.

Proper implementation of RTI laws could help free flow of information and facilitate citizens’ meaningful involvement in decision-making, he said. He urged civil society and the media to join hands to make the RTI regime successful.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2014