Call to appoint Chief Information Commissioner for Punjab

LAHORE: Advocate Sarmad Ali, a legal expert and Champion of Right to Information Award (2016), has raised concerns over the prolonged vacancy of the position of Chief Information Commissioner for the Punjab Information Commission.

In a letter addressed to the chief minister, Advocate Sarmad Ali highlighted the critical role of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013 in ensuring citizens' right to access public information and promote transparency in government affairs. The law, which was introduced in alignment with Article 19-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, grants every citizen the right to seek information from government departments and file complaints against those departments that withhold such information.

Advocate Sarmad Ali commended the Punjab Information Commission for its independent and efficient handling of citizens' complaints, which has led to significant progress in upholding transparency and fairness in governance. However, he expressed concern over the vacancy of the Chief Information Commissioner position, which has remained unfilled since May 2024.

In his letter, Advocate Sarmad Ali demanded the chief minister expedite the appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner to ensure the continued protection of citizens' rights under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013.