Balochistan’s Right to Information Act Still Not Implemented After Three Years
The Balochistan Information Commission, mandated by the Balochistan Right to Information Act of 2021, has not been established despite the law being passed three years ago. Unlike federal and provincial information commissions, which have completed three terms, the Balochistan Commission has yet to be formed.
This issue was highlighted at the launch of the Right to Information project by Aid Balochistan, attended by political and social leaders, government officials, journalists, and lawyers. They stated that the implementation of the right-to-information law had yet to materialize in Balochistan.
Politicians and activists emphasized that access to information is vital to ensure transparency. Implementing this law is a fundamental right of citizens and is essential for maintaining transparency in the use of public funds. Representatives of political parties stressed the need for implementing the Right to Information (RTI) law in Balochistan, which they said would ensure better use of public money and encourage welfare projects.
According to Adil Jahangir, Executive Director of Aid Balochistan, the law will enable public participation in government decision-making and provide access to information about ongoing projects in key sectors like health and education, leading to better governance and development outcomes. Senior journalist Mir Behram Baloch stated that the public’s rights can be secured by implementing the RTI law, and it will result in the proper utilization of government funds in remote areas of Balochistan.
RTI activist Mir Behram Lehri questioned why the provincial government has so far failed to appoint information commissioners. He noted that the longer it takes to implement this law, the more questions will arise. Other speakers, including Balochistan Awami Party Central Information Secretary Dr. Nashanas Lehri, National Party’s Quetta chapter President Ghulam Nabi Marri, Mir Muslehuddin Mengal, Wadera Shahzad Lango, Adil Jehangir, Behram Baloch, Behram Lehri, Sadiq Sumalani, and Rana Ahsan, said easier access to information helps eliminate corruption and improves accountability.
Officers from various government departments, lawyers, civil society leaders, journalists, and representatives of different organizations also attended the seminar.
Doubts Revealed
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a province in Pakistan. It is located in the southwestern region of the country.
Right to Information Act -: The Right to Information Act is a law that allows people to request information from the government. It helps make the government more transparent and accountable.
Balochistan Information Commission -: The Balochistan Information Commission is a group that is supposed to be set up to help people get information from the government under the Right to Information Act.
Aid Balochistan -: Aid Balochistan is an organization that helps with development and social issues in Balochistan. They work to improve the lives of people in the province.
information commissioners -: Information commissioners are officials who help people get the information they need from the government. They make sure the Right to Information Act is followed.
transparency -: Transparency means being open and clear. In this context, it means the government should be open about what it is doing and how it is using public money.
governance -: Governance refers to how a government is run. Good governance means the government is run in a fair, efficient, and transparent way.