An awareness seminar titled ‘Right to Know’ was held under the management of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Law University.
The speakers of the seminar informed the aims, objectives and ongoing projects of CPNE to the audiences. CPNE Finance Secretary and Editor of Daily Amen Hamid Hussain Abadi warmly welcomed the guests.
While addressing the participants of the seminar, the CPNE finance secretary put attention on the role of CPNE regarding professional training of journalists.
He informed that the CPNE was actively mobilising the federal and provincial governments, country-legislative institutions, civil society and common citizens for the implementation of ‘Right to Know’ law for the citizens of Sindh province.
On this occasion, Justice (r) Qazi Khalid Ali, vice Chancellor of Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto Law University, thanked the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) for organising a prestigious event on “Right to Know” in Sindh and students and faculty members on attending this seminar. He recognised the significance of programmes of CPNE on democracy and development of human rights.
Dr Syed Ali Gurdazi, member of social organisation “Sheery” presented a comprehensive report on background of ‘Right to Know’.
Dr Raza in his address said that the law of ‘Right to Know’ was the resolution of all issues across the world, adding that there were about 105 countries in the world which enforced this law to promote transparency and good governance.
“The General Assembly of UNO in 1946 has termed ‘Right to Know’ law as basic human right as this law defends citizens’ rights. Article A-19 of constitution of Pakistan encircles the right to know”, he added.
He informed the participants of the seminar that alliance of civil society had prepared a draft on ‘Right to Know’ of legal experts and citizens of Sindh and demanded to seek approval of this law from the Sindh assembly.
CPNE Project Manager Abdul Rahim Mausvi highlighted the objectives and importance of the project regarding its role and participation of youths in it.
He said Pakistan was the first-ever country of South Asia which promulgated Right to Information Act 1997 and governments of Punjab and Khyber Paktunkhaw approved the law of “Right to Know” in 2013 from their assemblies respectively, while this law was approved in 2006 in Sindh assembly, however, there were some drawbacks in it which needed to be removed immediately. Ghulam Nabi Chandio, member CPNE, paid vote of thanks to participants.
