Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
Adnan Aamir
Quetta – Despite offer of full support by Chief Minister (CM) of Balochistan, Dr. Malik Baloch, bureaucrats of Balochistan gave a cold shoulder to proposed Right to Information (RTI) legislation.
Enshrined in section 19-A of constitution of Pakistan, citizens have the Right To Information (RTI) on matters of public importance. However there is no effective legislation for RTI in Balochistan.
Right To Information is enshrined in section 19-A of constitution of Pakistan
A conference titled “RTI and need for legislation in Balochistan” was held by Center for Peace and development Initiatives (CPDI), in a local hotel of Quetta.
A proposed legislation “Model Balochistan Right to Information Bill 2015” was presented by CPDI in the conference.
Dr. Abdul Malik, CM Balochistan, conceded the failure of Balochistan government in post-18 amendment legislation requirements. “After 18th amendment, required legislation in Balochistan has not been carried out which is our failure,” said CM.
Balochistan government has failed to carryout adequate legislation after 18th amendment – Dr. Malik Baloch.
Dr. Malik announced that two member committee would be constituted which will have Provincial Minister Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal and Home Secretary Akbar Durrani as its members. This committee, CM announced, would review the proposed legislation on RTI by CPDI and present its findings within 15 days.
However, other participants of the conference gave a cold shoulder to the proposed legislation by CPDI.
Akbar Durrani, Home Secretary, termed the proposed legislation as unnecessary. Same was the stance of Information Secretary Abdullah Jan.
Highlighting the weakness of existing RTI legislation in Balochistan, Amer Ejaz Executive Director of CPDI, said “In last 10 years not a single RTI related application has been submitted to provincial Ombudsman.”
Home Secretary and Information Secretary termed the proposed legislations unnecessary.
Others who spoke at the event include provincial minister for information Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, Provincial minister for Home and Tribal affairs Sarfraz Bugti, Members of provincial assembly Samina Khan and Spoxmai Achakzai and Mayor Quetta Dr. Kaleemullah.
“Apart from CM, majority of speakers at the conference focused on general issues and ignored the proposed legislation by CPDI,” a participant told Balochistan Point.
Another participant at the conference said, “This conference proved to be unproductive because there was absolutely no progress on legislation proposed by CPDI.”
Exclusive Report
Published in The Balochistan Point on September 2, 2015
