There are two-fold challenges in the implementation of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013. Firstly, Mazhar Hussain Minhas, Chief Information Commissioner, Ahmed Raza Tahir, Information Commissioner, Punjab Information Commission completed their tenure on March 31, 2017. Tenure of Information Commissioner, Mukhtar Ahmed Ali, ended on April 30, 2017. Punjab government has not appointed information commissioners yet. As a result, Punjab Information Commission is redundant and complaints being lodged by citizens for not getting information requested under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013 are pending with Punjab Information Commission. Furthermore, other functions of Punjab Information Commission like imparting training to Public Information Officers (PIOs) are also suffering.
Secondly, throughout their tenure, information commissioners were forced to work without requisite staff as Punjab government failed to approve service rules for Punjab Information Commission and it could not hire 43 member staff to carry out its functions.
In light of these developments, Coalition on Right to Information will be presenting its Charter of Demands to Punjab government by holding press conference at Lahore Press Club, Lahore.
Contact Person with Cell # Syed Raza Ali Shah 0336-5444115