QUETTA: Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi has said that the government has started making efforts for implementing the Access to Right Information Act, 2021, as it has been passed by the provincial assembly. He said everyone has a role to play for implanting the Act.

Addressing a workshop on Democratic Local Governance for Developed Pakistan and Access to Information for Journalists, he said access to information is the right of every citizen. But, he added, information should not be used for creating chaos in society.

The workshop, which was organised by Salar Foundation, was attended by a large number of media people and other people.

Mr Buledi said that assemblies have already passed several Acts and their implementation would be the most important task. “We are democratic people. In order to strengthen democracy, we have to educate the people. I have been elected twice from my constituency. The people of my constituency have the right to be aware of what I have done. Not being accountable leads to degradation,” Mr Buledi said.

He said 22 amendments have been made to the Constitution. Powers have been given to provinces through the 18th Amendment.

The project coordinator of Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, Khalid Hussain, said that the Balochistan Assembly has passed the Access to Information Act, 2021, which is an effective law and it would help people enjoy their basic rights.

He said after the passage of the Access to Information Act, 2021, in Balochistan, it is the first time that the CPDI has conducted training for journalists on the features of the law so that they could access the information.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2021