‘RTI law best tool for social accountability’

LAHORE

Punjab Information Commissioner Mukhtar Ahmed Ali has said that Right to Information (RTI) law is the best tool for social accountability and improving the public service delivery institutions in Punjab. 

According to a press release, addressing a seminar at Punjab University’s Institute of Communication Studies (ICS), he said citizens were empowered by this law and Punjab Information Commission provided relief to the citizens in case of refusal of information. He said Punjab Information Commission was doing its best to ensure citizens’ right to information despite lack of resources and staff by the government. He said no one was above the law and every official was bound to proactively disclose all public information to citizens’. ICS in-charge director Dr Nosheena Saleem said this law was much beneficial for society which reflected a positive society. Syed Kausar Abbas said Punjab Information Commission needed attention of the Punjab government in upcoming budget 2016-17, adding the Commission had not received appropriate funds and staff for effective implementation of Right to Information Law in Punjab.

Dr Waqar Malik said right to information was basic need of society but its positive use was necessary. Assistant Professor Shabbir Sarwar encouraged the media students to proactively use such laws for professional reporting to provide information to the community. 

Two arrested: A team of Wildlife and Parks arrested two persons and recovered two urial lambs from them on Thursday. According to a press release issued here, Jhelum District Wildlife Squad got information that some persons would go to sell urial lambs from Jambar Gaal to Jhelum, upon which, Inspector Banaris Ali, Watcher Waqas Sharif, Haroon and driver Arif set up a check post and signaled the accused to stop their van at Nathowala at 2.00am but after failing to stop it, accused Asghar Baghri and Javed Iqbal were traced and arrested.