Media should have full access to information about fake degree holders
Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) has expressed its concern on the reports that Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Ministry of Education are continuously putting pressure on Higher Education Commission (HEC) to stop it from sharing information about fake degree holders with media. Such an attitude is unacceptable, as people have the right to information about the progress being made by the HEC in terms of identifying those who hold fake degrees.
Stakeholders’ Dialogue: Needs of Lower Police Staff ignored in the Budget
The annual budget of Islamabad police has increased from RS 0.6 billions in 2003-04 to RS 4.13 billions in 2010-11. Major increase was witnessed in 2009-10, when the government decided to double the salaries of all employees of Islamabad police and, as a result, police budget went up from RS 1.64 billions in 2008-09 to RS 3.65 billions in 2009-10. The total increase over these years has amounted to 582 percent, which is unprecedented. However, it is a matter of grave concern that there has been little corresponding improvement in terms of public safety conditions in the Capital. One of the reasons for this is that most of the resources are used to protect the VIPs and not the common people living in Islamabad. These views were expressed in a Stakeholders’ Dialogue on “Islamabad Police Budget: Needs and Concerns.”
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Islamabad, June 8, 2010
International Right to Know Day Improvements in Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002 & Relevant Rules Demanded
Despite promises by the current coalition government at the highest level, Pakistan continues to lack an effective and a comprehensive law aimed at ensuring peoples’ right to information held by public authorities. It is because the existing laws on freedom of information are weak and inadequate in their coverage. An effective law on right to information is universally considered as a pre-requisite for combating corruption, ensuring transparency and promoting public accountability. Right to information has also been described as ‘oxygen’ for democracy and ‘touchstone’ for all freedoms. This was stated in a press released issued by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) on the 7th International Right to Know day, which is celebrated around the world on 28th of September every year.
Islamabad,September 28, 2009
International Right to Know Day Implementation of Access to Information Provisions of LGO 2001 Demanded
On the International Right to Know Day, which is celebrated around the world on September 28, Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) calls upon the provincial and local governments to respect citizens’ right to information, and ensure that members of public are facilitated and encouraged to participate in the planning and implementation phases of development projects.
Lahore,September 27, 2009
International Right to Know Day’ to be Observed on September 28
The 7th International Right to Know Day will be observed around the world on 28th of September 2009. The Day is being celebrated to mark a year of historic advances for the right of access to information, as the number of countries with laws on freedom of information has increased to over 90. Purpose of celebrating this Day is to further highlight the importance of information and to call upon the governments and other institutions for universal respect for the public’s right to know.
Islamabad,September 26, 2009
Discrimination against Women in the Case of Transfer of Property Critized
Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) has demanded that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) must reform its procedure for transfer of property which, in its current form, discriminates against women and provides opportunities for extortion and corruption. It is highly disturbing that, in the 21st century and in a city like Islamabad, the CDA has adopted a procedure for transfers of property, which is clearly discriminatory against women and which makes no logical sense.
Islamabad,August 31, 2009
Education Budget 2009-10: Concern Expressed on Low Allocations and Misplaced Priorities
In the annual budget 2009-10, the total current budget of the Ministry of Education has been increased by 32 percent from RS 19.1 billion in 2008-09 to RS 25.2 billion in 2009-10. However, the highest increase is in the current budget of Higher Education Commission, which has increased by 36 percent i.e. from 15.8 billion in 2008-09 to 21.5 billion in 2009-10. While these increases appear to be impressive, the fact is that these are highly inadequate, as a large percentage of additional allocated resources would be consumed to offset the impact of high inflation (i.e. over 20%) in the country. Furthermore, the actual requirement of the education sector is far higher, as compared to the existing level of allocations. This was stated in a joint statement issued by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) and Pakistan Coalition for Education (PCE).
Islamabad, June 20, 2009
Islamabad Police Budget 2009-10: Increase in Salaries Appreciated; Reduction in Non-Salary Allocations Criticized
In the federal budget 2009-10, the allocation for salaries of police officers and staff has witnessed huge increase, which was expected as the announcement to this effect had been made a few months back by the Federal government. This is commendable as low salaries are widely recognized as one of the major reasons for corruption and poor quality of police services. However, it is a matter of serious concern that the non-salary budget of the Islamabad police has been reduced substantially in real terms. This effectively means that, while the police officers and staff will be better paid, they would still not have adequate resources for operating expenses like for travel, transport, stationary, equipment, repair and maintenance, communications, utilities and expenses related to police investigations.
Islamabad, June 19, 2009
District Jhang: 7.6% of Total Allocations for ADP Utilized in 8 Months
It is a matter of serious concern that the capacity of district governments to utilize annual development budget remain extremely weak, which leads to delayed implementation of projects, massive cost overruns and a lot of inconvenience for the people. One example of this is District Jhang, where the district administration has been able to spend only 7.6% of the total annual development budget in 8 months i.e. from July 2008 to February 2009. Out of the total allocation of RS 315 millions for the Annual Development Program (ADP), the administration utilized only 24 millions until the end of February 2009. Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) expresses its concerns on this grave situation; and calls upon all the relevant authorities in the district as well as at the provincial level to take immediate steps to fix the problems that cause low utilization of development allocations.
April 1, 2009
Attack on police training centre condemned; urgent need of building police capacities & morale stressed
As the nation grieves over the barbaric acts of terrorism in Lahore resulting in the casualties of scores of its policemen, the question that needs to be asked as to how can such acts be prevented in future. This is the second such act of terrorism in Lahore within a span of one month and the manner in which it has been carried out suggests that the perpetrators may be linked to the same group that had attacked the Sri Lankan team on 2 March 2009. Clearly, the investigative capacity of the police leaves much to be desired. Had the perpetrators of attack on Sri Lankan team been arrested, this incident of violence might not have taken place. Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) demands the central and provincial governments to take immediate and effective steps to build police capacities as well as the morale of its personnel, so that they could efficiently meet the challenge of combating terrorism and maintaining law and order.
30 March, 2009
No Mention of Freedom of Information in President’s Address: CPDI expresses its Concern
President of Pakistan has made some highly important and encouraging promises, commitments and announcements in his Presidential address to the Parliament. However, a significant omission relates to an early enactment of a new freedom of information law, which has been long-standing demand of civil society and media in Pakistan . This omission is worrying in view of the fact that the President had talked about it in his last address in the Parliament 6 months back; although government could not table any bill to this effect in the Parliament despite repeated promises. Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) has expressed its deep concern on this omission; and hopes that the government remains committed to enacting a new freedom of information act, which would be in line with international best practices.
March 28, 2009
CPDI calls for civil society involvement in new Freedom of Information law
CPDI is calling on the government to allow civil society organisations to help make the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s new freedom of information law successful and worthwhile. Despite Pakistan being the first country in South Asia to have a law pertaining to freedom of information, this law, namely the Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002, was not as effective as it should have been and has now been outshined by other news laws in neighbouring countries.
December 18, 2008
Act of parliament protecting rights of people with disabilities demanded
On December 3, we, along with the rest of the world, will be celebrating International Day of People with Disability. It is now time for us to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of our understanding of and improvement of the lives of those living with disabilities.
December 2, 2008
Move to put HEC under the Ministry of Education Opposed
CPDI finds it highly disturbing that some elements in the government are bent upon centralizing maximum power in their respective offices or ministries without any regard to principles of efficiency, decentralization or good governance.
December 1, 2008
Annual Budget 2008-09: Drastic Cut in the Education Sector Development Budget Criticized
Within a few months after the approval of the Annual Budget for 2008-09, the development budget of the education sector has been drastically revised downward, which is a matter of serious concern.
December 1, 2008
CPDI demands regularization of contract doctors
Health service delivery across the province adversely suffers from the fact that most government hospitals have to rely on a large number of contract doctors in view of the government policy of not recruiting doctors on regular basis. Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) demands the provincial government to take immediate steps to induct the contract doctors in the health service on regular basis.
Novmber 11, 2008
Project on Needs Based Budgeting for Health Sector Launched
CPDI has launched a one-year project in District Jhelum to promote ‘needs based budgeting’ for the health sector. The project will also aim to realize citizens’ right to information as well as their legal rights as consumers of services being provided by the public and private health service providers.
October 26, 2008
Reforms of Existing Freedom of Information Laws Demanded
Existing freedom of information regime in Pakistan, consisting of Freedom of Information Ordinance (FOIO) 2002, Section 137 of Local Govt. Ordinance (LGO) 2001, Balochistan Freedom of Information Act 2005 and the Sindh Freedom of Information Act 2006, is weak and inadequate; and needs to be urgently improved in line with international best practices. Transparent functioning of the government and accountability of the public representatives will remain a pipe dream until we have effective freedom of information regime, which enables and empowers citizens to ask questions and obtain information and official records with minimal exceptions. These views were expressed by the Executive Director of Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) in a press conference in Karachi.
September 24, 2008
Law Ministry urged to Follow Transparent Procedure for Hiring Lawyers
CPDI expresses its deep concern about the non-transparent procedure that the Ministry of Law follows for nominating or hiring lawyers from outside of the existing central law officers for representing the Federal Government or Federation in the courts. The whole process is arbitrary and secretive, and lends itself to nepotism and abuse by the powerful vested interests. It has been learnt that billion of rupees have been paid to lawyers engaged by the Law Ministry from the public exchequer in the past few years, although the Ministry treats such information as classified or secret.
July 14, 2008
Development Budget for Health Sector 2008-09: Limited Focus on Critical Health Related Concerns & Rural Populations
Federal Government has allocated RS. 19 billion for development projects in the health sector in the 2008-09 budget. This shows a significant increase over the allocation of the last financial year (2007-08), which was originally RS. 14.2 billion but had later been revised to RS. 13.9 billion. The Federal Ministry of Health would be implementing 111 development projects in 2008-09. Out of 111 projects, allocation for 23 projects is more than RS 100 million. These are the highlights of a report on health budget issued by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI).
June 21, 2008
Annual Budget 2008-09: Education Sector Development Budget is Gender Insensitive
The annual budget 2008-09 presented in the Parliament for approval includes an allocation of RS. 6.3 billions for development projects to be implemented by the Education Division. This allocation is less than the previous year, when the government had allocated more than RS. 6.5 billions for development projects.
June 15, 2008
Promotion of the Use of Right to Information Laws Stressed
Journalists must play their role in creating awareness about the right to information laws, especially about how the existing laws can be used and improved for investigative reporting. They must also use right to information laws, like the Federal Freedom of Ordinance 2002 and Balochistan Freedom of Information Act, as their professional tools to seek information to be used for investigative reporting.
June 9, 2008
Concern Expressed on Legal Violations Regarding Annual District Budgets
(CPDI-Pakistan) expresses its deep concern on repeated and blatant violations of laws and rules relating to preparation and implementation of annual budgets by local governments. It is evident from the fact that annual budget is usually prepared in an exclusive and a non-transparent manner; and the legal requirements relating to stakeholder consultations, publication of taxation proposals and effective participation or oversight by councils are not met.
May 8, 2008
Violation of Relevant Laws & Rules in the Preparation and Implementation of Annual Budget
In the beginning of each financial year, district government must hold consultations with citizens and communities in order to determine priorities for the next year’s annual budget. In Jhang, this requirement has never been met and, as a result, the budget priorities are determined in an exclusive manner, which makes the development process vulnerable to inefficiencies and undue influences by special and vested interests.
May 3, 2008
Senate performance over the last 5 years assessed as poor
Senate of Pakistan completed its 5th parliamentary year in March 2008 but without satisfactory performance in terms of law making, executive oversight or public representation. This is the main finding presented in a report prepared by Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives, Pakistan (CPDI-Pakistan).
April 24, 2008
Request: CM's Personal Intervention to Ensure Full Implementation of Budget Rules in Preparing the 2008-09 Budget Doc
Rawalpindi is a city district, which is located very close to Islamabad . It is, therefore, a reasonable and legitimate expectation that Rawalpindi should emerge as a leading district in the country for setting best practices in relation to its democratic governance, accountability mechanisms, responsiveness to citizens and ensuring maximum transparency in its functioning, especially in matters related to budget and development projects.
April 23, 2008
Election Manifestos 2008: Early Implementation of Education Related Commitments Demanded
Most political parties have made many encouraging commitments about the education sector in their Manifestos for the Election 2008. However, in general, these manifestos do not explain how the set targets will be achieved and where the required resources to achieve the targets will come from. The manifestos also skip substantive commitments on certain controversies, for instance, in relation to medium of instruction, privatization, and multiple education systems in the country.
April 8, 2008
Journalists urged to use FOI laws for investigative reporting
Media is playing an extremely important role in terms of strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in Pakistan. However, journalists can play even more effective role if they focus their attention on investigative reporting in order to expose not only inefficiencies and abuse of official authority but also systemic problems and weaknesses. In the words of Lucinda S. Fleeson, who authored a booklet to teach investigative reporting entitled “Dig Deep & Aim High”
April 1 , 2008
PM’s Commitment on Freedom of Information Welcomed
CPDI-Pakistan has welcomed the commitment about freedom of information that the Prime Minister (PM) made in his policy statement in the National Assembly. It is very encouraging that the PM openly recognized the flaws and inadequacies of existing Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002, and committed to improve it in order to ensure transparency in governance and empower citizens to expose corruption and inefficiencies.
March 31, 2008
Specific Commitments and Road-Map for Transparent Governance Demanded
In order to combat corruption, protect citizens’ rights and improve the quality of public services, the Prime Minister must make specific commitments and announce a road-map for concrete actions for ensuring transparent governance and accountability. This should be high on the agenda of his government from the very beginning.
March 27, 2008
Debate in the District Council on Draft Budget Demanded
CPDI-Pakistan has demanded the District Council Rawalpindi to immediately hold a special meeting to debate the Draft Annual Budget for the year 2008-09. Purpose of the proposed special meeting should be to thoroughly discuss the Draft Budget, and to finalize a mechanism whereby the budget document could be improved in a transparent and a participatory manner - before its final approval in June 2008..
March 26, 2008
Implementation of Access to Information and Transparency Provisions in LGO 2001 Demanded
Has demanded the local government authorities to respect citizens’ right to information, and ensure that members of public are facilitated and encouraged to participate in the planning and implementation phases of development projects. Citizens’ right to information is guaranteed under Section 137 of the Punjab Local Government Ordinance 2001 but the town administrations and the district governments have yet to recognize its importance and implement it. At present, even the very ordinary kind of information is hard to access, and one has to run from one office to other to eventually hear, in most cases, that the requested information is an official secret.
March 19, 2008
District Govt. Rawalpindi: Implementation of Budget Rules 2003 Demanded
CPDI-Pakistan and Awami Budget Monitoring Network (ABMN) demand the City District Government Rawalpindi as well as Town Administrations to ensure full implementation of Budget Rules 2003 in the process of preparing the Budget for the Year 2008-09. Last year, the City Government and Town Administrations had violated the Budget Rules by not presenting the Draft Budgets in the respective Councils in March 2007. And the City Government and Town Administrations would be committing the same violation again if the draft budgets were not presented in the respective Councils in March 2008.
March 13, 2008
ECP Urged to Ensure Efficient Disposal of Complaints
While it is encouraging that most political parties have generally accepted the election results, it should not be ignored that a large number of candidates have alleged serious irregularities and election related fraud at various polling stations in different constituencies across the country. Independent observers have also noticed irregularities and serious problems at various polling stations, although their preliminary findings seem to exclude any significant and wide-spread impact of such problems.
February 21, 2008
Further Restrictions on Media Condemned
CPDI-Pakistan condemns the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for imposing further restrictions on electronic media just a day before the general elections. Like the curbs already imposed on media, these additional restrictions are completely immoral, unfair and arbitrary, and tantamount to severely curbing the freedom of speech and expression amidst the allegations of pre-poll rigging and serious concerns about the fairness of the polling process.
February 17, 2008
Under the Military Rule National Assembly Completes its Term with Poor Performance
The National Assembly has completed its 5-years term on November 15th. But, sadly, it does not make anyone who thinks happy or feel good about. As a matter of fact, this National Assembly would be remembered for working under a military ruler and for abysmal performance in terms of law-making, executive oversight and public representation. It had come into being under the Legal Framework Order (LFO) issued by a military ruler.
November 14, 2007
Rule of Constitution Demanded
CPDI-Pakistan has strongly condemned the proclamation of emergency, which is not allowed under the Constitution and, therefore, amounts to imposition of martial law in the country. It is also in sheer violation of the judgment given by 7 judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which had scrapped the Chief of Army Staff’s order in respect of imposing emergency in the country. CPDI-Pakistan has demanded that the state institutions and political parties must jointly work to ensure immediate withdrawal of all extra-constitutional measures, restoration of people’s fundamental rights and reinstatement of judges of higher judiciary, who have been forcibly stopped from performing their judicial responsibilities. People of Pakistan want to be ruled by the Constitution; not by one man.
November 5, 2007
PSDP Allocation 2007-08 Only 7.6% of Education Budget Utilized in First Quarter
One way of assessing any government’s performance is to examine whether it has efficiently planned and implemented development projects. In Pakistan, it is often argued that the country lacks adequate resources to develop various social and economic sectors. However, a close analysis of data reveals that lack of resources is not necessary the main reason of under-development. In many instances, it is the poor performance of government departments in terms of timely planning and execution of projects.
November 3, 2007
Rawalpindi City Government Urged to Implement Budget Rules
CPDI-Pakistan expresses its deep concern on the inefficient utilization of tax-payers money in the Rawalpindi city district; and urges the concerned authorities to fully implement Budget Rules 2003 in order to ensure transparency and accountability. It may be noted that the Rawalpindi city government has consistently failed since 2001 in terms of ensuring implementation of the budget rules. As a result, the budget documents that it has been producing year after year include scant details about revenues and expenditures; and glaringly reflect the absence of any coherent and participatory planning.
October 25, 2007
Dialogue with Stakeholders on Electoral Reforms Demanded
General elections are now around the corner; and the necessity of electoral reforms for the conduct of free and fair elections has never before been more evident than it is now. However, it seems that, despite frequent talk, no substantial measures have so far been taken in terms of electoral reforms, which could inculcate confidence that the elections this time around would be truly fair and free. Both the government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) need to do better within their respective mandates.
October 16, 2007
ECP Urged to Implement Electoral Reforms
In order to ensure free and fair general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) needs to implement significant administrative and procedural reforms in the light of experiences and lessons-learned from the past elections.
October 8, 2007
Better Facilities for Junior Police Staff Demanded
These are the junior police staff who the common people have to interact or deal with for their problems and complaints, whether on the streets or in the police stations. Most of the patrolling and investigations are also carried out by the junior police staff:
September 7, 2007
CPDI-Pakistan Calls for Early Formation of District Public Safety Commission in Balochistan
CPDI-Pakistan has observed that the District Public Safety and Police Complaints Commissions could not be established in many of Balochistan’s Districts despite the fact that Police Order was implemented in the year 2002.
May 8, 2007
New Allotment Policy Cautiously Appreciated
CPDI-Pakistan cautiously appreciates the new allotment policy, which puts a limit on out-of-turn allotments of government residences by the Ministry of Housing and Works.
February 1, 2007
Proposal of Bringing Investigation Wing under SHO Opposed
CPDI-Pakistan strongly opposes the proposal by certain provincial governments to further amend the Police Order 2002 in order to once again bring the investigation wing under the Station House Officer (SHO).
January 31, 2007
Differential Tariff Rate for Electricity Rejected
CPDI-Pakistan rejects and opposes the reported World Bank’s proposal that the Government must allow differential tariff rates for electricity being provided by various distribution companies (DISCOs) across the country.
January 23, 2007
CPDI-Pakistan Demands Transparency in the Functioning of Parliamentary Committees
CPDI-Pakistan has demanded all the chairs and members of parliamentary committees to implement completely transparent procedures in the course of considering legislative bills and exercising parliamentary oversight on government departments.
January 7, 2007