ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) human rights body has urged implementation of Right to Information (RTI) law to ensure transparency, accountability and democracy in the country.

“The World Right to Information Day today is an occasion to reflect on the critical importance of the Right to Information (RTI) and the progress made and the issues faced in the implementation of the landmark legislation namely ‘Right to Information Act-2017’ passed by the parliament over seven years ago,” said former senator Farhatullah Babar, president Human Rights Cell of the PPP.

He said democracy was not merely holding of periodic elections and political parties taking turns, it was a governance structure that rests on the pillars of rule of law, transparency, right to information and accountability.

The 18th Amendment introduced for the first time Article 19-A which states, “Every citizen shall have the right to access to information in all matters of public importance subject to regulation”.

Under it, the RTI Act 2017 was enacted by the Parliament, and Pakistan Information Commission also set up to address complaints against non-compliance with the law.

He said although great strides had been taken, there were serious challenges in the implementation of the law, adding that the Toshakhana case exposing uncomfortable truths was the result of information disclosed under the RTI.

He said under the law the parliament was also required to provide information but it had been reluctant. Some years ago the Senate Secretariat refused to disclose information about the appointments in it and even an aborted attempt was made to exempt it from the RTI legislation.

“Let every citizen pledge today to use the RTI tool to tear apart the shroud of secrecy and promote transparency, accountability and democracy without fear, ” he added.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2024