Process and Specimen of Filling Information Requests and Complaints under RTI Laws

7 Steps for Obtaining Public Information from Government Departments under RTI Laws

1. Clearly describe the required information on plain paper with reference to any of the applicable RTI law (RAI Act 2017, KP RTI Act 2013, Punjab T&RTI Act 2013, Sindh T&RTI Act 2016)
2. Identify the public body, address to public information officer (PIO) or Head of the Department while writing information request.
3. Submitting information request is free of cost and citizens are not bound to provide a reason of request information
4. Submit/post information request ( along with copy of CNIC) through the mail, fax or email to the PIO of concerned public body
5. PIO will send the acknowledgment receipt and provide requested information within 10-15 working days (time limit of responding is prescribed in each RTI law)
6. Information required to protect the life or liberty of any individual will be provided within two to three working days (time limit of responding is prescribed in each RTI law)
7. In case of incomplete, unsatisfactory response, mute, oral or written refusal; citizens have a right to lodge a complaint in independent appellate forum i.e Information Commission against the PIO. The appellate body will resolve the case within 30-60 days (time limit is prescribed in each RTI law)