Right to know

The right to information is a fundamental human right. In many other countries this has led to greater transparency, efficiency, eradication of corruption and nepotism, and good governance. Recently, Punjab and Sindh enacted legislations to facilitate the public in gaining access to government-held information and records.
Laws like this can bring a change within the existing bureaucratic system and upcoming vernal local bodies. If used with discretion, this law may prove to be game-changer for the people of this country. However, the public still has to be made aware of what constitutes as public information and how they can access it. There should be an awareness campaign through the media and government programmes to ensure that the public is able to take full advantage of this right.
Shahrukh Shabbir
Islamabad