PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday called for incorporating into the curriculum the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013 to create awareness among students about its importance in helping to ensure transparency and good governance in the province.

The seminar was arranged by the Right to Information (RTI) Commission at Khyber Law College, University of Peshawar.

Besides others, RTI commissioners, including Chief Information Commissioner Sahibzada Mohammad Khalid, Commissioners Professor Kalimullah and Abdul Matin and Khyber Law College Principal Professor Fayaz-ur-Rehman spoke on the occasion.

Fayaz-ur-Rehman suggested that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act 2013 should be incorporated into the curriculum at intermediate or above levels to help students know its benefits.

“The promulgation of RTI law in the province is a step in the right direction,” said Mr Rehman, adding that the day would come when there would be no one above the law.

Chief Information Commissioner Mr Khalid asked the government departments to ensure proactive publications of information under the law and update their respective departments along with official email addresses of the concerned officials so common man had no problem in accessing them in the hours of need.

He asked the students to utilise RTI without any hesitation to ensure good governance.

Similarly, the RTI Commissioner Professor Kalimullah said that the people of KP must have to take advantage of the landmark legislation to ensure transparency and merit in public departments.

Abdul Matin, commissioner of the RTI Commission, said that the law provided full protection to government servants who tried to unearth corruption by sharing information with the commission or applicants.

He said that the RTI law had empowered common people as no government official was authorised to ask the requester why he needed the information and for what purpose.

Published in Dawn, October 30th , 2014