Under Section 7 of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013, every public body is bound to designate Public Information Officers, (PIOs) to facilitate citizens in the exercise of their right to information. These PIOs are assigned the task of responding to requests for information filed by citizens within stipulated time period mentioned in law. Furthermore, PIOs are also responsible for the proactive disclosure of information under Section 4 of the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013. However, many public bodies have not designated PIOs yet and even where PIOs have been designated, they lack understanding about their roles and responsibilities under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013.

One of the responsibilities of the Punjab Information Commission, (PIC) is to train the PIOs and build their capacity so that they can perform their duties as mentioned in law. At present, PIC does not have adequate funds for this purpose. CPDI has signed MoU with Punjab Information Commission, (PIC) to impart training to around 180 PIOs in 9 districts of Punjab on their responsibilities under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013. CPDI with the support of Fredrich Nauman Foundation, (FNF) will provide the administrative support to PIC in carrying out these 9 trainings. It is in this context that CPDI will be organizing one day training workshop for PIOs in Lahore at Hospitality Inn on 29 and 3oth March to achieve following objectives:

1. 20 PIOs sensitized about citizens’ right to information;

2. 20 PIOs trained on their responsibilities under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013.