Right to Information | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

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Right to Information

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet Approves Amendments to Right to Information Act, 2013

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet on January 24 approved amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013, with changes aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the law, ensuring improved access to information for citizens, and making government bodies more accountable to the public. The amendments also grant citizens the right to appeal orders passed by the Information Commission. The […]


FAFEN Calls for Uniform Standards to Improve Usability and Transparency of Pakistan’s Parliamentary Websites

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has called for the implementation of uniform standards across Pakistan’s parliamentary websites to improve usability and enhance transparency. According to FAFEN’s report, Parliamentary Transparency and Openness in Pakistan, while parliamentary websites have developed into key sources of information, they vary significantly in terms of transparency, accessibility, and usability. FAFEN stated: “Some platforms provide […]


Majority of Federal Ministries Fail to Disclose Public Information: FAFEN

Pakistan Press Foundation

A new assessment by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has revealed that most federal ministries and divisions in Pakistan are not meeting their legal obligations under the Right of Access to Information (RTI) Act, 2017. The failure to disclose critical public information proactively has raised concerns over the spread of misinformation and disinformation, […]


Journalist Muhammad Irshad and Advocate Arshad Ahmed Appointed as Commissioners to KP Information Commission

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has appointed journalist Muhammad Irshad and Advocate Arshad Ahmed as commissioners to the KP Information Commission. The appointments were made under Section 24(4)(b) of the KP Right to Information Act, 2013. They will serve for three years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever comes first. The law […]


Balochistan Cabinet Decides to Establish Right to Information Commission; Approves First Digital Social Media Policy

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Balochistan cabinet decided to establish the Right to Information (RTI) Commission includes amendments to the relevant law, enabling citizens to access government documents under right-to-information laws. Additionally, the cabinet approved the province’s first-ever digital social media policy. The digital social media policy aims to develop a comprehensive framework for regulating social media, promoting its positive use, and formalizing the province’s approach to digital media governance. The […]


KP Chief Minister Orders Amendments to Strengthen Information Commissions

Pakistan Press Foundation

On August 9, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur directed relevant authorities to propose necessary amendments to the legal frameworks governing the Right to Public Services Commission and the Right to Information Commission, aiming to enhance their effectiveness and stability. These directives were issued during two separate meetings held at the Chief Minister’s House, […]


Information Commission Orders Swift Action on HEC Scholarship Misuse

Pakistan Press Foundation

On July 5, the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) mandated the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to accelerate and finalize measures against the misuse of scholarships and breaches of public trust. This directive responds to an appeal by citizen Azmat Khan, urging immediate governance actions. Khan’s appeal requests a detailed list of scholars who traveled abroad on HEC scholarships […]


PHC Seeks Explanation for Delayed Appointments at KP Information Commission

Pakistan Press Foundation

On April 24, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) convened for a hearing to examine a petition addressing the delayed appointment of two information commissioners in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission (KPIC). The petition, filed by Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of the Center for Peace & Development Initiatives (CPDI), highlighted the significant impact of these vacant positions […]


Sindh Information Commission Earns Praise from RTI Activis

Pakistan Press Foundation

Sahiwal: Naeem Sadiq, a prominent Right to Information (RTI) activist, has expressed his appreciation for the commendable performance of the Sindh Information Commission in fostering transparency among reluctant public bodies. In a letter addressed to the Sindh Information Commission, Sadiq extended his gratitude, acknowledging the Commission’s efforts and support in compelling traditionally unresponsive public bodies to […]


Sindh Departments Defy Right to Information Act

Pakistan Press Foundation

Sahiwal: Despite the passage of more than a year, a dozen Sindh government departments persist in non-compliance with The Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016, shrugging off information requests. On January 20, 2023, this scribe submitted information requests to 17 provincial bodies, triggering a prolonged process. An application for internal review, mandated by Section 9(1) […]


Varsities asked to disclose 2% minority quota on websites

Pakistan Press Foundation

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission (KPIC) has said that all public sector universities in the province should disclose the implementation of the 2% admission quota for ethnic minorities on their respective websites. This information falls under Section 5 of the KP RTI Act, 2013, which pertains to the publication and availability of records. Syed […]


Call to respect Right to Information Law for transparency in election season

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD  –  In the election season it is im­perative that the right to in­formation law is respected by all public bodies to promote transparency and accountabil­ity as elements for free and fair elections. This was stated by President Human Rights Cell of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar in a statement yesterday. However, The […]


IHC not ready to Implement Right to Information Act: Chief lnformation Commissioner

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: ( Parliament Times ): Courts are supposed to uphold the laws in the country and for that they themselves are expected to implement and obey the laws first to present example to others but here one of the higher courts of the country is not ready to obey and implement a law that is […]


Information is a right

Pakistan Press Foundation

How can a group of rulers get people to not say anything against their poor policy choices? They can do that by withholding people’s access to information and freedom of expression. If the latest reports are anything to go by, Pakistan has a poor record of ensuring that people have the privilege of knowing what […]