PDI Urges Strengthening of Right of Access to Information Act 2017 to Empower Citizens

Islamabad,imrana komal: Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) is concerned about the proposed amendment to the Right of Access to Information (RAI) Act 2017, which is currently under review by the Senate Standing Committee on Information. The proposed amendment is seen as regressive, hypocritical, and objectionable, as it seeks to exclude Parliament from the purview of citizens’ right to information. CPDI has urged the Parliament to reject the efforts by some senators to weaken the law, and rather set very higher standards of transparency and citizens’ access to information in the administration of parliamentary secretariats and parliamentary proceedings including the ones held in committees. Only a Parliament that is very transparent in its internal matters will have the moral authority to require other organizations of the government to become transparent and accountable.

Executive Director of CPDI, Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, has written letters to Speaker of the National Assembly, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Chairmen of the Senate Standing Committee on Information, Mr. Faisal Javed Khan, and other senators, urging them to play a positive role in ensuring that the regressive amendment that is currently under consideration is rejected and, instead, the RAI Act 2017 is further strengthened to facilitate easy access of citizens to maximum information. CPDI has also submitted an analysis of the RAI Act 2017 (Accessible at: https://www.cpdi-pakistan.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CPDI-Analysis-of-Right-of-Access-to-Information-Act-2017-and-Recommendations-for-Reforms.pdf), including recommendations for its improvement based on regional and international best practices. CPDI has requested that its recommendations are duly considered by the Government and the Parliament in order to ensure that the Act meets the recognized standards like maximum disclosure, obligation to publish, minimal exceptions and cost-effective access to information.

CPDI has also suggested that open meetings be held by the Senate Committee on Information to hear views and suggestions of experts and relevant civil society groups. By holding such open meetings and providing an opportunity for civil society organizations to share their suggestions, the committee will set a highly commendable precedent for other committees to follow and for improving the quality of legislation.

The CPDI has also requested the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly to use its influence to ensure that the relevant forums give serious consideration to civil society recommendations and provide civil society organizations with adequate opportunities to personally share their views and suggestions with the concerned standing committee.