Punjab Information Commission Celebrates International RTI Day
Lahore: The Punjab Information Commission (PIC), in collaboration with the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), organized an event at the Darbar Hall of Governor House to celebrate the International Day of Right to Information on September 28, 2023.
Governor Punjab Mr. Baligh-ur-Rehman graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and distributed RTI Awards among the people who have rendered outstanding services for RTI in the last one year.
The ceremony drew distinguished attendees, including Information Commissioners, senior judges, legal experts, journalists, Vice Chancellors, and principals from various colleges across the region.
Governor Punjab, Mr. Baligh-ur-Rehman, underscored the critical role of RTI in combatting corruption within public bodies, fostering public accountability, enhancing the effectiveness of public officials, and promoting good governance.
He emphasized that the RTI Act serves as a powerful tool to ensure transparency in both the financial and administrative affairs of public institutions.
One of the key highlights of RTI, as pointed out by the Governor, is its provision for citizens to access public information free of charge, empowering them to gain insights into the responsible utilization of public funds generated from their taxes.
He emphasized that an informed society is not only equipped with a positive and effective public opinion but also fosters trust in government and the state, ultimately contributing to a participatory democracy.
Mr. Mahboob Qadir Shah, Chief Information Commissioner, hailed RTI as the cornerstone of a welfare state and expressed gratitude to the Governor of Punjab and the enthusiastic audience for their invaluable support in celebrating World RTI Day.
At the event, Saddia Mazhar was honored with the prestigious RTI Champion Award in recognition of her exemplary practice of RTI laws in addressing critical public interest issues in Punjab.
Meanwhile, shields were presented to Shahbaz Akmal Jandran, Asif Butt, and other deserving individuals for their commendable contributions in utilizing RTI laws for the betterment of public interest matters.
