LAHORE:National Forum of Information Commissions (NFIC) on Friday pledged to make joint efforts for the promotion of right to information act across the country.
The Second meeting of National Forum of Information Commissions (NFIC) was held in Lahore. NFIC consists of all in service information commissioners from Federal, KP, Punjab and Sindh. During the meeting, Information commissioners pledged to continue their joint efforts for the promotion of transparent and accountable regime in Pakistan with maximum public access to information.
On the first day, Amer Ejaz Executive Director CPDI, applauded the land mark orders by Federal, Punjab and KP RTI Commission and raised demand for the operationalization of RTI in Sindh and Balochistan as well. Moreover, Information Commissions shared their progress and initiatives to implement RTI laws. Issues like non-allocation of funds, delay in appointment of information commissioners, lack of administrative support from government, delay in finalizing the working rules and subsequent shortage of staff, resistance in disclosing information and colonial mindset of public bodies were discussed at length.
On the 2nd day, NFIC had one on one interactive session with the massive crowd of vigilant civil society, academia, lawyers and journalists. During the interactive session, Meboob Qadir Shah Chief Information Commissioner Punjab, M. Azam Chief Federal Information Commissioner and KP Information Commissioner Riaz Khan Daudzai proactively addressed the questions of participants and endorsed bona fide implementation of RTI laws in Pakistan at all tiers of the state.
About CPDI: Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) is an independent, non-partisan and a not-for-profit registered civil society organization working on the issues of Development and Peace in Pakistan.
