The News International: Islamabad:
Tuesday, November 08, 2016.
It seems
there is relative lack of understanding about the purpose of right to
information legislation in government circles as demonstrated by the interior
minister on Sunday when he said that no one will be allowed to hide behind the
Right to Information Act.
This was
stated in a press release issued by Coalition on Right to Information, (CRTI) a
consortium of 48 civil society organisations working to protect and promote
citizens’ right to information in the country.
Effective
right to information laws not only facilitate easy and cost-effective access to
information held by public bodies but also protect privileged and sensitive
information from disclosure.
That is why
independent and autonomous information commissions are established under right
to information laws to ensure that information likely to cause damage to the
national security, privacy of individuals, economic interests and other such
matters is protected from disclosure.
Moreover,
information commissions ensure that information is disclosed only in public
interest. It is unfortunate that the federal government has not empowered
proposed Pakistan Information Commission, to be established under Right of
Access to Information Bill, 2016, to ensure that sensitive information is
protected and information pertaining to matters of public importance is shared
with citizens and journalists in public interest.
The CRTI
urges the federal government to empower proposed Pakistan Information
Commission with regard to ensuring disclosure of information in matters of
public interest and protecting sensitive information.
CHARSADDA:
Inspector General of Police Nasir Durrani said on Thursday the establishment of
a model police station in the province reflected the real change in thinking,
behaviour and priorities of the police.
The inspector general of police (IGP) said this in his address on the
occasion of the inaugural ceremony of Model Police Station Sardheri here. Elected representatives, including MNA
Maulana Syed Gohar Shah, District Nazim Fahad Riaz, elite of the area, and high
ranking civil and police officers attended the function. The IGP pointed out
that establishment of Model Police Station was the need of the hour.
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