Strengthening Balochistan’s RTI Commission vital for transparency: Experts

QUETTA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th May, 2026) Member Information Commission, Abdul Shakoor urged citizens to hold public institutions accountable by exercising their constitutional right to information, calling for stronger citizen engagement and institutional support to ensure effective access to information across the province.

Speaking at a seminar, he praised the incumbent government’s commitment to improving governance, ensuring transparency, and welcoming constructive criticism. Shakoor warned that departments failing to comply with the law would face legal consequences, while also stressed upon the need for proactive disclosure of information through official websites.

He emphasized the need to update the websites of all government departments and to launch capacity-building programs for Public Information Officers (PIOs), aimed at enhancing data accessibility.

Director General of Public Relations Balochistan, Askar Khan, highlighted the importance of interdepartmental cooperation to strengthen the Commission’s role. He underscored that the Right to Information (RTI) Act was fundamentally about data collection, remarking that “today’s world runs on data.”

Askar Khan pledged full support to the Commission, describing it as a vital check on government departments, and encouraged civil society to actively contribute to its success.

Adil Jhangir, Executive Director Association for Integrated Development (AID) Balochistan, briefed participants about the Commission’s establishment and proposed amendments to further reinforce its mandate. He shared that AID has conducted awareness sessions across multiple cities to empower citizens with knowledge of their rights. Adil Jhangir called for expanding these campaigns to district and tehsil levels, noting that effective implementation of the RTI Act would reduce corruption and strengthen accountability. He urged PIOs to improve access to information and foster greater civic engagement.

Participants commended the Information Commission for addressing public complaints despite limited resources and stressed upon its strengthening terming it essential for better governance in the province. They recommended holding similar seminars at the district level to raise awareness about the RTI Act. The Commission provides citizens with a legal framework to access government data, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in Balochistan.

Officials, civil society representatives, and governance experts underscored the law’s role in promoting transparency and accountability. Organized by the Center for Governance and Public Accountability (CGPA), the event highlighted both the progress made by the RTI Commission and the challenges it faces.