29 political parties and 12 representatives of bar councils and associations had gathered as speakers and members of NGOs, diplomatic and academic community participated here in the national consultation to discuss Model freedom of Information Act prepared by CRCP.

CRCP has been consulting various opinion makers on the freedom of information for the last three years. It has already presented a Model Freedom of Information Act last year before the government. "We think it a pre-requisite that such an act is reviewed, commented and owned by the civil society, political parties, bar councils, journalist community and other opinion making institutions of the country. It is required that there exists an interface among these actors to make freedom of information a law of the day." it was added.

CRCP views today's cancellation of the national consultation contrary to attaining a national consensus on legislation on freedom of information and hopes that citizens' efforts will be encouraged rather than been blocked because of a charged political atmosphere prevailing in the country.

We thank all friends who joined us in our initiative on Freedom of Information. We expect the same in future and excuse for inconvenience to all those who came to participate in today's event. But we are positive that CRCP gets along its proactive mobilization on consumer issues, generally, and the Freedom of Information, in particular, as we think that legislation on Freedom of information is a working hub that would host many reforms to work in its letter and spirit in the country. Thanks.