Access rights to Information Act and Punjab Government Institutions

Author: Amir Abbas Minhas

The Punjab government has enacted a law on access to information and transparency, but the previous and current governments have failed to implement it.

This law was passed in 2013 and despite its implementation, its implementation is still far from over. Powerful bureaucracy seems to be the biggest obstacle in the way of this law.

From the Deputy Commissioner’s Office to the District Police Officer, Education Department,Revenue, Health Department, Finance, Excise, Rural Development, Social Welfare, Small Dams, Highways, Minerals, Construction,Building, Forest and other provincial departments have no understanding of this law.

The Chakwal police has even banned the media from providing information. Keeping the local, national print and electronic media away from the daily crime rate is the specialty of the Chakwal district police officer.

The information requested by this law is not given to the applicant and under this law those who want to get information are sent to the other offices.

The heads of all departments in the district and the public relations officers created under the Access to Information Act are unaware of the law, which is why it does not appear to be being implemented.

That is why citizens and media representatives who want to benefit from this law face a variety of problems due to the lack of accurate information.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Op-Ed

Internet Ban

In today's world, the Internet is an indispensable tool for education, communication, business, and innovation.…

7 hours ago
  • Op-Ed

Chaos Fuels Gold’s Ascent

Gold has long stood as a symbol of wealth, security, and timeless value. In an…

7 hours ago
  • Op-Ed

Trump 2.0: The Financial Ripple Effect

Donald Trump's return to the White House in 2025 could mark a seismic shift in…

7 hours ago
  • Editorial

Blockade Blunders

The government's heavy-handed approach to counter Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) planned protest on November 24 is…

7 hours ago
  • Editorial

Justice Prevails

Even if there does not stand any arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC)…

7 hours ago
  • Pakistan

Bushra Bibi’s remarks stir controversy; PM vows action

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, recounting Saudi Arabia's unconditional financial and diplomatic support to…

7 hours ago