The Right of Information In Pakistan
The right of information is a fundamental right which was inserted in the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan as Article 19 -A vide 18th amendment in the year 2010. Pursuant to constitutional amendment the requisite enactments were made by the Federation of Pakistan and its provinces respectively to give effect to constitutional amendment. The laws were enacted with a view to make informed citizenry and devise the procedures for obtaining information from public bodies and state owned organizations, the parameters of restricted information; and the time period within which the desired information should be provided to a citizen. The right of information laws provides for establishment of commissions for the purposes of redressing the complaints of citizens in case an application for information is not entertained or the desired information is not provided within stipulated time.
Following are the transparency laws and regulations enacted so far:
i) The Right of Access to Information Act, 2017
ii) The Right of Access to Information Rules, 2019
iii) The Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013
iv) The Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Rules, 2014
v) The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013
vii) The Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016
