‘RTS law to ensure good governance’

TIMERGARA: Khyber Pakhtun-khwa Right to Public Services (RTS) Commission Chief Commissioner Azmat Hanif Orakzai said on Thursday the RTS law would go a long way towards ensuring good governance and the time-bound delivery of the public services in the province.

He was speaking at a seminar arranged to raise awareness on the implementation of the RTS among the elected councillors from Lower Dir district at the Timergara, the district headquarters.

Azmat Hanif Orakzai said it was the only law that empowered the public to ask the government about the public rights.  He said at present 15 public services had been notified and the departments directed to ensure the delivery of these services within the stipulated time.

The official said the law was unanimously passed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and all the political parties had owned the RTS to ensure its implementation across the province.

The RTS commissioner said the Constitution secured 24 fundamental rights to masses. The RTS law was worked out to ensure the implementation of these fundamental rights as one of the major responsibilities of the government, he explained.

To a question, he said that some amendments had been prepared to further simplify the method of appeal under the law while efforts were also being made to make departments honour masses request made under the law.

The seminar was also addressed by the Lower Dir District Nazim Malik M. Rasool Khan, Deputy Commissioner Irfanullah Wazir, District Police Officer Ali Akbar Syed.  The seminar was attended by a large number of members of district council, media persons and officials of the various departments.