The Right Of Access To Information Act, 2017
The Right of Access to Information Act, 2017 was enacted to provide for a law which gives effect to the fundamental right of access to information as guaranteed under Article 19-A of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and international law. The law envisages that everyone has a right of access to all information held by public bodies subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law. It is applicable to all public bodies of the Federal Government.
The law states that every person who is a citizen of Pakistan can give an application to the designated official for having information as a matter of right in respect of information held by a public body. The designated officials are officers in BPS – 19 or equivalent appointed in each public body under the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. The law provides functions of designated officials; procedure for acceptance and refusal of request; and time limits for responding applications. The law prescribes the kinds of information which should be exempted from disclosure and formation of information commission. The Freedom of Information Ordinance, 2002 was repealed. The Right of Access to Information Rules, 2019 were made under The Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
