Pakistan’s dysfunctional Right to Information

Pakistan’s dysfunctional ‘Right to Information’

When laws are created solely to present a façade of modernity instead of providing  any benefits to ordinary citizens, we build, by design,  a fake and spurious society with  glossy veneer and a hollow inside.  The ‘Right to Information’ laws of Pakistan represent the finest example this choreographed duplicity.

The Federal RTI Act was enacted in 2017.   Since then 4 Federal government departments were sent requests for information.  All four failed to respond.  As the government created a vacuum by failing to establish an Information Commission,  the complaints were sent to the Federal Ombudsman.  The Ombudsman simply turned down all applications stating that the only forum for RTI complaints is the  (non-existent) RTI  Information Commission.   So the Federal Government  has successfully nullified its own RTI system.

The Sindh RTI Act appeared in April 2017, defining a 100 day period for establishing an Information Commission.  300 days later, a Sindh Information Commission is no where in sight.

Punjab has an Information Commission but no Information Commissioners.  Not appointing Information Commissioners is the politest strategy to torpedo the entire RTI process.   Continuing with an outdated 2005 FOI Act,  the Balochistan  province shows no signs of reforming the law or responding to the RTI requests.

The state functionaries, taking full advantage of this fractured and dysfunctional  system feel no real compulsion to respond to the citizens’ request for information.   Would the  Federal Government and the Provinces take urgent steps to establish Information Commissions, appoint ‘Designated Officers’ and ensure that the officials respond to RTI requests.