Right of access to information not being implemented: Speakers
Muhammad Naeem:
Islamabad: Participants of a seminar commemorating International Day for Universal Access to Information, observed on Sept 28.” on Tuesday said that “There are laws regarding the right to information in the country but not being implemented.
Speakers at the event, which was organized by Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights, Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists and National Press Club, at the National Press Club, said that under the British-era Official Secrets Act, it is said that “we cannot provide information”.
Addressing the seminar, former chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said “Instead of implementation of the Constitution in letter and spirit, we see the implementation of might. We see the supremacy of the Official Secrets Act and not the 1973 Constitution. There is a suffocating environment,” said former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani at a national seminar to commemorate International Day for Universal Access to Information, observed on Sept 28.
He said that the PFUJ struggle for the freedom of the press is about to begin in November adding that he said political workers will be with you in this struggle as before.
Chairman Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights Riaz Fatyana said that we have to abide by the Right to Information Act. He said that the government is not suppressing the media, adding he said “we are with media on freedom of the press, the government does not want to take away the freedom of the press,” he added.
Senator Faisal Javed said that Fawad Chaudhry and Farrukh Habib had put up their idea regarding PMDA. There was no draft in front of everyone in this regard so the decision will be taken after consultation with all parties.
Senator fake news is a big issue these days. He said further “ it is being talked about all over the world, he added.”
Faisal Javed legislation should be given priority over fake news. He said there are laws for print media but there should also be legislation regarding electronic media.
He said it is necessary to strengthen the existing laws. Now digital media is an ocean. Social media is a part of it. We need legislation. The Prime Minister will never restrict freedom of the press and freedom of expression. All stakeholders have come to our committee.
Senior journalist Hamid Mir said that today is very important. There is a difference between Article 19 and Article 19A. The facts are that there is a lot of pressure on Pakistan because of Article 19A. The law has been passed by the National Assembly. The Provincial Assembly has already passed the law, but it is a question of how far it is being implemented.
It is the responsibility of all parties that the law that has been made is not being implemented. An Information Commission was formed which was formed in 2018. More than 1100 petitions have been submitted to the Commission. He was told that this law does not apply to us. Every citizen of Pakistan has the right to obtain information under Article 19A of the Right to Information Act. Under the Official Secrets Act, it is stated that We cannot provide information. This law was enacted during British rule. Whenever any citizen requests information under this law, it is said that under the Official Secrets Act, this information cannot be provided.
President National Press Club Shakeel Anjum said that the current situation is such that there was no dictator in the era of journalists who talked about democracy and human rights. Their programs have been closed.
Welcoming the guests, general secretary RIUJ Tariq Ali Virk said that thousands of our colleagues have been unemployed under the present government and the government says that there is as much freedom of the press in Pakistan as not so in the world
He said that there is a right to information law but it is not being implemented. Former president RIUJ Mubarak Zeb, Secretary National Press Club Anwar Raza, and a large number of journalists attended the seminar.
