Fafen urges reforms for KP RTI Act
ISLAMABAD: Twelve years after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became Pakistan’s first province to enact a Right to Information (RTI) law, the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) notes the pioneering framework remains “underutilised and vulnerable to disinformation due to weak enforcement and structural gaps”. In a policy brief released Saturday titled “From Pioneer to Performer: Making Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Right to Information Act Work Against Disinformation”, Fafen urged the KP Assemb
Fafen highlights that the Right to Information Act in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is underutilized and at risk of disinformation due to weak enforcement. The organization's policy brief suggests legal and institutional reforms to improve the effectiveness of the law. The Act was introduced after the 18th Amendment in 2010 added Article 19A to the Constitution. An assessment of 190 public bodies showed only 57% of required information was proactively disclosed. This gap allows for misinformation and speculation about government actions. Fafen identified legal flaws and institutional gaps that hinder the Act's functionality. The definition of 'public body' excludes some private entities and NGOs receiving public funds. The law lacks enforcement mechanisms and clear timelines for compliance. The KP Information Commission lacks autonomy and cannot effectively enforce the law. Fafen recommends expanding the definition of 'public body' and granting the commission more authority. The organization also suggests including digital records and ensuring citizens can access information electronically.
Reforms are needed to strengthen transparency and combat misinformation in government operations.
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