More than a decade after right to information (RTI) laws were introduced in Pakistan, they continue to await effective implementation. Achieving the true objectives of RTI legislation seems like a distant dream, as even their basic enforcement has yet to take proper shape.
This has allowed the bureaucracy to dominate the governance process while undermining the efficacy of civil society’s efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in public affairs. Despite legal frameworks being in place, the reality on the ground is starkly different.
Appeals filed with the information commissions in cases of non-provision of information are often left pending for months, well beyond the legally stipulated timeframes. This delay dissuades many from pursuing their cases, leading them to abandon their appeals in frustration. In some cases, appeals are dismissed without notifying the applicants, further eroding trust in the system.
Moreover, information commissions frequently fail to communicate their actions formally through official emails or postal services. Instead, their staff often use personal WhatsApp numbers to share objections, notices or updates, highlighting a glaring lack of transparency and professionalism in their operations.
A fundamental flaw in RTI laws is the absence of a mechanism for people to appeal against the decisions or inaction of information commissions. If a commission fails to take action or resolve an individual’s grievances, there is no higher forum to seek redress.
Based on personal experience, I can confidently state that 2024 was far from being a productive year for the enforcement of RTI laws. In fact, the performance of information commissions has deteriorated further.
To improve the implementation of RTI laws, it is essential to appoint individuals from civil society or seasoned RTI activists as chief information commissioners and information commissioners, rather than relying on retired bureaucrats or judicial officers. Such appointments would bring a fresh perspective and strengthen the nation’s commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.
Strengthening the enforcement of RTI laws is crucial for promoting transparency, empowering people, and ensuring that public officials remain accountable in terms of their official performance.
Without these changes, the promise of RTI laws will remain unfulfilled, and the gap between the state and its citizens will continue to widen further with time.
NAEEM AHMAD
FAISALABAD
