19-A, Right to Information: The Revolutionary Act
By Sarmad Shahbaz Bhutta
Right to information is the fundamental human right. It is considered to be an integral part of human life. Access to information is your right.
Since 1947, Pakistan has been running by various authorities. In total, Pakistan’s history comprised four constitutions i.e. 1935 of Indo-Pak sub-continent, 1956, 1962, and 1973 which later became the permanent constitution of the lone Muslim atomic power. A constitution is generally a set of guidelineswhich are used to run a country. Talking in a flow, State is run by Government which runs on the Constitution and to achieve or implement the constitution we use laws.
Coming back on track, Till 1990, only 13 countries had Right to Information access for the citizens. Basically, this act of freedom started back in the 1700s and was developed after the Second World War. Even the reason forthe Second World War was loosely based on the secrecy and confidentiality of the countries.
Over 100 countries around the world have implemented some form of freedom of information legislation. Sweden was the first country to introduce the Right to Information Act. Sweden’s Freedom of the Press Act of 1766 is the oldest in the world.
Pakistan officially introduced its first RTI Act in 2002 under the régime of Gen. Musharraf. As the time proceeded and the act was on the federal level, the different government in their tenure decided to implement these act on provincial levels. After loads of struggles and efforts of government and non-governmental organizations including CPDI (Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives), FnF (Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom) etc. the legislation made it to its destiny. The provincial RTI was implemented practically and RTI Commission was launched in all provinces of Pakistan (except Baluchistan). The Act was official boosted after the 18th Amendment in the constitution of Pakistan in 2010. This Act has special importance is marked under the Article 19 Freedom of Speech. It is noted as article 19-A Right to Information.
Provincial Right to Information Act was contributed with provincial name alongside Transparency & Right to Information Act. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transparency and RTI Act were launched back in mid-2013 which was second by Punjab Transparency & RTI act, launched in late 2013 and Sindh’s Transparency &RTI Commission was launched in 2016. Moreover, on the federal level RTI act came into being in 2017 with the specified name of Right of Access to Information Act, 2017.
Right to Information act revolves around all the public bodies within the state (having some exemptions). This act, as the title says, is a revolutionary act because it gives you access to the information you need. The act has loads of benefits in creating a sustainable and maintainable community. The act gives the right to each and every Pakistani citizen to collect legal information from any of the public body in Pakistan. You can get records from public bodies about matters going on in your street, society, community or in the whole country by simply writing a simple right to information letter to the designated officials.
The Act plays a vital role in building a non-corrupt society as it gives you access to accountability, see the things behind the curtains and even allows you to get a report about finance whereused when used in the state. It depends on you how you are using this act and for what purpose you’re using it. It also has some exemptions including the privacy of the state, personal information,and information regarding the defense of the state.
Better late than never, Pakistani people are fortunate to have this act in their country as it allows you to directly get a report of your tax money. People are not mindful of this act but by the tireless efforts of civil society organizations this law is heating up in the state and people are getting conscious about their fundamental rights and privileges.
The writer is Rawalpindi based award winning social activist