Sir, Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013 was promulgated in 2013 by the incumbent government in relation to strengthen democracy and promote open governance across Punjab. In relation to mentioned Act a non-governmental German based Organisation in Islamabad the other day planned a mega event on Right to Information Laws of Punjab and KP wherein people from all walks of lives participated and shared their valuable opinions on need of strengthening these laws across Pakistan. The thing which general public of Pakistan first of all to be taught is: why we needed Right to Information Laws across Pakistan? During the course of discussion in the event, I realised that general public that had participated in the event had no knowledge whatsoever as why Article 19-A was inserted in the Constitution of Pakistan through 18th Constitutional amendment. Discussion on diverse social and legal issues only grows when general public is being taught about the basics of topic in discussion. Not a single speaker whatsoever attempted to touch this aspect of area instead preferred to indulge into irrelevant and bizarre debate. I being an ordinary citizen of Pakistan believe that RTI laws were introduced in Punjab and KP to promote open governance which was the corner stone of 18th amendment. The second question which has to be addressed in such like debates and forums is to understand: why only Right to Information Law was needed for open governance? I being a citizen believe that Pakistan is a product of British colonial legacy wherein culture of privacy and secrecy is so deeply rooted where access to information could not be possible without enactment of Right to Information law. I thought general public must be encourage through public forums and even media have to take a leading role of encouraging the public to put questions to public bodies relating to their budgetary spending, etc. On top of everything all of us first learn and understand why we needed such laws in Pakistan before dwelling into the technicalities associated with such like laws. SARMAD ALI Lahore Published in Daily Times, August 17th 2017.