Call for educating people on right to information

Freedom of information or right to information (RTI) is an internationally recognised human right, therefore media, legislature and civil society should play their role in raising awareness regarding its positive implications especially in neglected parts of the country like Balochistan. Speakers expressed these views during a seminar on Right to Information orgnanised by Individualland Pakistan (IL-Pakistan), the other day. The speakers urged the civil society, media and legislature and civil society to sensitise and educate people regarding positive implications of RTI. RTI Baluchistan Project Coordinator Yahya Ahmad said that “Balochistan was the most neglected province of the country.
The lack of literacy and awareness there present the greatest challenge. IL Pakistan Coordinator Shaukat Ali Ashraf said, “The RTI is every Pakistani’s right according to the 18th Amendment of the Constitution. Article 19-A extends the citizens their right to question and inquire from official bodies regarding any subject of public interest. But the lack of awareness and initiative in the society are hindrances in the active implementation of this procedure”. He said his organisation was seeking assistance of different institutions and departments in this regard. Mian Ethsam Waheed and uhammad Hashim Kakar also spoke on the occasion. IL-Pakistan is a non-profit development organisation, working to raise awareness regarding Right to Information (RTI) in Baluchistan in collaboration with the Open Society Institute Foundations (OSIFs).