Latest news with #RightofAccesstoInformationAct
Business Recorder
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Press freedom pivotal for democracy: NA speaker
ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that freedom of the press is pivotal for the promotion of democratic values. He said that the role of the journalistic community is of vital importance in promoting a positive image of the country and fostering an informed society. He also added that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees freedom of expression. He expressed these views on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, observed every year on 3rd under the auspices of the United Nations. Sadiq also appreciated the important role played by journalists in the Press Gallery of the Parliament, who serve as a bridge between legislative proceedings and the general public. He highlighted the irreplaceable sacrifices offered by journalists in their quest to bring truth and facts to light. He further added that the media plays a fundamental role in shaping an educated, aware, and responsible society. He commended the dedication of journalists who perform their duties in conflict zones, often at great personal risk. He paid rich tribute to journalists serving in Palestine, Indian-occupied Kashmir, and other war-torn regions, recognising their courage and professionalism. He expressed sadness over the alarming number of journalists who lose their lives each year while fulfilling their professional responsibilities, calling it a matter of grave concern. He stressed the need for a collective and coordinated strategy to ensure the safety and protection of journalists in the line of duty. He reiterated that the Parliament of Pakistan is fully committed to upholding press freedom and is determined to enact effective legislation to safeguard the rights of the journalistic community. He said that the passage of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, as a significant step toward ensuring public access to information. Highlighting the role of Pakistani media during recent Indian aggressive policies in the region, the speaker praised the journalistic community for demonstrating exceptional professionalism and patriotism. Through fact-based reporting, the media played a key role in revealing the true face of India to the international community, he said. On this occasion, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah has affirmed Parliament's unwavering belief in freedom of expression and its commitment to ensuring that journalists have timely and accurate access to information. He added that the National Assembly has consistently pursued legislation aimed at the protection and welfare of journalists. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill passed: Senior officials obliged to disclose all assets
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary body on Wednesday passed the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which makes it mandatory for senior government officials, ranging from BPS-17 to BPS-22, to disclose their assets as well as those held by their family members. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice, chaired by MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk, passed the bill after thorough deliberation. The committee, by majority vote, recommended that the bill be approved by the National Assembly without changes. However, a group of committee members, including Changaze Ahmad Khan, Ali Muhammad Khan, Umair Khan Niazi, Aliya Kamran, Sohail Sultan, and Sardar Latif Khosa, recorded their dissent and proposed amendments to the bill. According to the statements of objects and reasons of the bill, the proposed legislation aims at strengthening the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964—specifically Rules 12, 13, and 13-A—and align with the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. Under the bill, civil servants in higher grades will be required to digitally file asset declarations, including domestic and foreign assets beneficially owned by themselves or their immediate family members, it says. It says that these declarations would be publicly accessible, with safeguards to protect sensitive personal data such as ID numbers, residential addresses, and bank or bond account details. The bill proposes that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to manage the asset disclosure system, while the Establishment Division would be empowered to conduct risk-based verification using dedicated resources and tools, it says. The parliamentary body also consider the bill, 'The Qanun-e-Shahadat (Amendment) Bill, 2025' moved by MNA Shazia Marri. After detailed deliberations on the contents and implications of the proposed amendments, the committee decided to defer further consideration of the Bill to the next meeting. The committee decided to allow the Ministry of Law and Justice sufficient time to furnish a comprehensive comparative analysis of relevant legal provisions across selected commonwealth countries, with a focus on best practices and alignment with international standards. Additionally, during the discussion, the Ministry of Law and Justice highlighted that the proposed amendments, if enacted, would be uniformly applicable to all provinces. In light of this, the committee emphasised the importance of obtaining input from all provincial governments to ensure inclusivity and to account for regional perspectives. The committee recommended that the ministry law formally seek and compile the views and comments, of all four provinces before the next meeting. MNAs, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, Zara Wadood Fatemi, Kiran Haider, DrNafisa Shah, Syed Abrar Ali Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Syed Hafeezuddin Changaze Ahmad Khan, Ali Muhammad Khan, Umair Khan Niazi, Hassaan Sabir, Aliya Kamran, Sohail Sultan, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, Shazia Marri, Minister of State for Law and Justice and Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, Special Secretary Establishment, along with staff attended the meeting. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
RTI reforms urged to counter disinformation
ISLAMABAD: The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has called on the government to undertake comprehensive legal reforms to strengthen the implementation of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. In a policy brief titled 'Strengthening the Right to Information (RTI) in Pakistan', released on Sunday, FAFEN highlighted that while Pakistan's RTI framework is among the most progressive, its effectiveness has been hampered by institutional inertia, ambiguous legal provisions and weak enforcement mechanisms. The shortcomings have prevented the law from achieving its intended goal of ensuring government transparency. The absence of timely information about the actions, decisions and spending by public bodies breeds destabilising misinformation and disinformation. "FAFEN strongly believes that strengthening the RTI legal framework will serve as a bulwark in the government's efforts to counter disinformation, which is deepening political polarisation in the country," FAFEN said. As part of its ongoing "countering disinformation through information" campaign, FAFEN has already conducted an assessment of the websites of federal ministries and divisions, and found a low level of compliance with the provisions of the RTI Act, 2017. Similar assessments are ongoing for provincial departments. FAFEN said that greater independence and powers for the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) will enable it to effectively enforce the provisions of the law on public bodies, which is critical to enhance government transparency and counter disinformation. In its policy brief, FAFEN urged the parliament to further strengthen the RTI legal framework by eliminating ambiguities and empowering the PIC to lead enforcement efforts rather than merely serving as an appellate forum. Proposed amendments include specifying clear deadlines for proactive disclosures and the digitisation of records, broadening the scope of public records, reforming the process for the appointment and removal of information commissioners, and mandating public bodies to submit compliance reports on the Act's requirements to the PIC. FAFEN recommends a more consultative approach to the appointment and removal of information commissioners through a bipartisan parliamentary committee with equal representation from the treasury and opposition. Transferring these responsibilities away from executive control and ensuring the commission's financial independence through amendments to Section 21 would enable it to function as a more effective oversight body. FAFEN's policy brief also stressed the need for public bodies to move beyond merely posting raw data online. Instead, it recommended the PIC to establish standardised, user-friendly record-keeping formats and practices, including searchable databases, clear summaries, and intuitive indexes to enhance accessibility.
