Pakistan Daily Times; Thursday, June 30, 2011,
LAHORE: Individualland Pakistan (IL-Pakistan) and Right to Information (RTI) Committee Balochistan have expressed their shock and displeasure over decision of the Balochistan government to hold back report prepared by a tribunal on Kharotabad incident.
IL-Pakistan has been working on promoting freedom of information in Balochistan. The decision by the provincial government to keep contents of the report secret, out of fear of exploitation by the media, has been criticised by the organisation. In a statement issued by IL Pakistan Director Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, she conveyed her disapproval of the approach adopted by the Balochistan government.
She said, “The decision of the provincial government to keep findings of an inquiry commission under wraps is a direct violation of the constitution of Pakistan, in which access to information has been recognized as a fundamental right of every Pakistani citizen. It is an appeal to the government, therefore, to review this decision and publish the report for public view.”
She added it was important that findings of the commission should not meet the same fate as of other commissions, as people have expectations from the nascent democratic system.
IL-Pakistan has been working on promoting freedom of information in Balochistan. The decision by the provincial government to keep contents of the report secret, out of fear of exploitation by the media, has been criticised by the organisation. In a statement issued by IL Pakistan Director Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, she conveyed her disapproval of the approach adopted by the Balochistan government.
She said, “The decision of the provincial government to keep findings of an inquiry commission under wraps is a direct violation of the constitution of Pakistan, in which access to information has been recognized as a fundamental right of every Pakistani citizen. It is an appeal to the government, therefore, to review this decision and publish the report for public view.”
She added it was important that findings of the commission should not meet the same fate as of other commissions, as people have expectations from the nascent democratic system.
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