Information secretary says right to information is key to transparency

QUETTA: Provincial Secretary Information of the Government of Balochistan, Imran Khan, has said that the right to access information is fundamental to promoting transparent governance, accountability and public trust. He said timely and effective provision of information in government institutions keeps the public informed about government affairs and helps improve institutional performance.

He expressed these views in a detailed address to a training workshop for public information officers (PIOs). The workshop was held on Section 5 of the Balochistan Right to Information Act 2021, which deals with proactive disclosure. It was organised by Transparency International Pakistan in collaboration with the Balochistan Information Commission.

Transparency in government institutions

He described the role of public information officers as important for promoting transparency in government departments, implementing legal requirements and giving citizens accurate, authentic and timely information.

Chairman of Transparency International Pakistan, Justice (retd) Zia Pervez, welcomed the participants in his opening remarks. He said the right to access information was important for good governance and institutional transparency. Information Commissioner of the Balochistan Information Commission, Abdul Shakoor Khan, gave a detailed presentation on key aspects of the Balochistan Right to Information Act 2021. He spoke in particular on the importance and benefits of proactive disclosure under Section 5.

He explained that proactive disclosure means making necessary official information available to the public in advance. This means citizens do not have to apply separately for each piece of information, and transparency in government affairs is promoted.

Executive Director of Transparency International Pakistan, Kashif Ali, spoke on the importance of effective implementation of the law, building the capacity of the officers concerned and putting the principles of transparency into practice in government institutions.

Professor Farkhanda Aurangzeb, a right to information expert, former member of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) in Balochistan and former Director General at the Ministry of Human Rights in Islamabad, spoke in detail about the legal framework for access to information across Pakistan, especially Balochistan. She also spoke about its importance and practical application. She highlighted the responsibilities of public information officers and various aspects of citizens’ right to access information.

Purpose and conclusion of the workshop

The purpose of the workshop was to make public information officers aware of the requirements of the Balochistan Right to Information Act 2021, especially proactive disclosure under Section 5. It also aimed to make the system of providing information in government departments more effective.

The speakers stressed that transparency and accountability can be promoted through effective implementation of the law, timely provision of information and institutional cooperation. At the end of the workshop, certificates were also distributed among the participants.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan