New law on freedom of information soon
ISLAMABAD- Federal Minister for Information and Media Development Javed Jabbar termed the draft Freedom of Information Ordinance as a step forward to access to information, the minister said it would reflect ideal and practical views. The draft ordinance is a revolutionary step in line with the announcement by the Chief Executive on October 17 last year that administration would be made transparent and accountable, he added.
He said the government has taken a decision to spread the information technology and make the people computer literate. He said that the government would ensure access to information, relating to the present projects, programmes and policies concerning citizens. He hoped that the suggestions received through round-table conference and other sources would help in drafting a new ordinance to be presented to the cabinet in the next few weeks.
He said the government believes in providing information to the people in public interest. However, classified documents would remain out of access an anywhere in the world. Jabbar hoped the future governments would not let the ordinance lapse and would rather frame an act in improved form.
During the conference senior journalists gave suggestions on how to have access to information. They were of the view that documents relating to national interests must be clearly identified. A suggestion was also made that information obtained under the ordinance should not be misused or quoted out of context.
Source: The News
Date:9/22/2000
” 
” 
” 
” 
