May 2, 2005

Islamabad: Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) has demanded reduction in time for provision of requested information under Freedom of Information (FOI) Ordinance 2002. The public bodies are bound to provide information, subject to certain exemptions, requested by citizens with in 21 days after receiving the request under the said Ordinance. This long time period has rendered this law useless for journalists. It deplored the state of press freedom as the report of Freedom House says that Pakistan is among those countries where the press is “Not Free.” It said free press is central to good governance and promoting accountability, transparency and discarding corruption. This was stated by CRCP on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3 and this year, it is being celebrated with the theme “Media and Good Governance” emphasizing the media role in promoting good governance, poverty reduction, promotion of human rights, freedom and access to information and journalistic ethics.

Mian Abrar Hafeez, Secretary General CRCP, highlighted the role of free press for promoting good governance and democracy. Freedom of expression and freedom of information are basic rights of citizens bestowed by the Constitution of Pakistan. He said that press has to play an important role in disclosing information on important issues and enable citizens to make informed decisions but unfortunately, press in Pakistan could not play its due role due to many bars on expression and information.

Mian Abrar Hafeez demanded that the time for provision of information under the Ordinance should be reduced and stressed the need for an organized movement of civil society organizations and media to engage with government for enactment of comprehensive press freedom and freedom of information laws.