Lawyers, civil society to protest if RTI not presented in NA

Islamabad

Lawyers and civil society on Tuesday announced to call for a protest if the federal Right to Information (RTI) Law is not presented in the National Assembly (NA) for approval within next three months.

The announcement was made in a seminar jointly organized by Sustainable Social Development organisation (SSDO) and Rawalpindi Bar Association. Seminar was attended by large number of lawyers, media and civil society of Rawalpindi.

The panellists of seminar included Federal Minister for Information Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Former Minister for Interior Senator Rehman Malik, Member National Assembly Ali Muhammad Khan, Chairman Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Justice Ali Nawaz Chohan, Punjab Information Commissioner Mukhtar Ahmed Ali, KPK Information Commissioner Kaleem-Ullah Khan, President Rawalpindi Bar Association Shoukat Rauf Siddiqui and Executive Director of SSDO Syed Kausar Abbas.

Addressing the seminar President Rawalpindi Bar Association Shoukat Rauf Siddiqui said Right to Information is a fundamental right of every citizen and provincial and federal government is responsible to make legislation for access to information. “The draft bill of Right to Information was passed by Standing Committee of Senate two years ago but was not presented in the National Assembly yet for approval He also raised questions about the performance of federal government in terms of transparency and accountability.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rasheed, said that Right to Information is the top priority of the government and will be legislated at our earliest. “The Senate and Cabinet Committee on Disposal of Legislative Business committee have approved the bill and the legislation will soon be presented in National Assembly for further discussion and approval,” he assured. 

Senator Rehman Malik said that the good governance and improved service delivery could only be provided if the democracy and citizens’ participation will be encouraged and strengthened in the decision making process. He said that the government led by Peoples’ Party has made number of amendments and new laws for citizens’ participation and strengthening democracy including 18th constitutional amendments which also gave Right to Information as a fundamental right of citizen. Rehman Malik promised to join the voice of civil society and lawyers for promulgation of Right to Information laws at federal level.

Executive Director of Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) Syed Kausar Abbas said that Right to Information is a power of citizen that can lead towards transparency and accountability in public institutions. He said that SSDO has launched a campaign with the help of Bar Associations to promulgate Right to Information laws at federal level and create awareness about these laws in masses. 

Chairman Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Justice Ali Nawaz Chohan said that delay in Right to Information laws is a violation of human rights. The government should ensure proactive disclosure of information and improve governance by ensuring citizens’ fundamental rights.

Ali Muhammad Khan Member National Assembly of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf criticised the government on delaying of legislation on Right to Information. He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhawa was the first province who legislated Right to Information and ranked at the top in information related laws. He said that the government should immediately make laws on Right to Information.

The seminar was also addressed by Punjab Information Commissioner Mukhtar Ahmed Ali and KPK Information Commissioner Kaleem Ullah Khan. They briefed the participants about the laws of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.