Punjab Information Commission

PUNJAB INFORMATION COMMISSION EMPOWERS PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS ACROSS 80 DEPARTMENTS THROUGH SPECIALIZED TRAINING
LAHORE

In a significant move toward enhancing transparency and government accountability, the Punjab Information Commission (PIC) conducted a comprehensive training session for Public Information Officers (PIOs). 80 different government departments attended this training. The session aimed to streamline the process of information dissemination under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, ensuring that citizens' inquiries are handled with efficiency and legal precision.
The training was led by Information Commissioner Bushra Saqib, who imparted detailed briefing to the attendees. She emphasized upon the critical role PIOs to be played as the first point of contact between the government and the public. Her session covered the RTI law, highlighting that "information is a fundamental right of the citizens, not a favor granted by the state." She also focused upon the proactive disclosure of information and the legal timelines for responding to public requests.
Participation: PIOs from 80 different provincial departments, like Governor Secretariat, Health & Population, Irrigation, S&GAD, LDA WASA, Metropolitan Corporation and C&W Punjab.
Following the training modules, a dynamic Q&A session was held to address the practical hurdles faced by officers in the field. Chief Information Commissioner Muhammad Malik Bhulla addressed the queries raised by the participants. He provided clarity on complex legal scenarios, exemptions, and the Commission's expectations regarding the quality of data provided to applicants.

Punjab Information Commission Organizes Seminar on Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013
Lahore 29th January 2025

The Punjab Information Commission hosted a seminar on the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013, bringing together Right to Information (RTI) activists and civil society members to discuss the implementation of the Act and the role of RTI in promoting transparency and good governance.

M. Nouman Nazir Director Awareness briefed the Activists and the seminar provided a platform for RTI activists to share their concerns and feedback with the Commission. Key issues raised during the event included the challenges in accessing public information, delays in response from public bodies, lack of awareness about the Act among the general public, and the need for proactive disclosure of government records.

Chief Information Commissioner Shaukat Ali welcomed the input from the activists and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring effective implementation of the Act. “Transparency is the cornerstone of good governance, and the RTI Act empowers citizens to hold public bodies accountable. We are committed to addressing the challenges highlighted by the RTI community and working towards a more open and transparent governance structure in Punjab,” the Commissioner said.

The seminar concluded with a pledge from all stakeholders to continue working together to ensure that the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013 is fully implemented, enabling citizens to exercise their right to information and promoting accountability within public institutions.

In a significant release under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013, the Punjab police have unveiled a detailed data for 2024, covering criminal case registrations, arrests, and law enforcement staffing figures.

Total of 1,116,035 cases were registered across Punjab in 2024. However, nearly 97,907 of these cases were dismissed during the year. The police made 675,392 arrests, with 235,000 individuals later found to be innocent, and 42,735 were granted bail.

Lahore topped the province in case registrations, with an overwhelming 296,728 cases. Out of the 131,224 arrests made in the city, 88,892 were found innocent.

On the other hand, Murree recorded the lowest number of cases in Punjab, with just 1,137 cases registered. In these cases, 1,098 individuals were arrested, 150 were found innocent, and 47 were released on bail.

Punjab police registered 1,116,035 cases in 2024 LAHORE: In a significant release under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013, the Punjab police have unveiled a detailed data for 2024, covering criminal case registrations,...

Punjab police registered 1,116,035 cases in 2024

Punjab police registered 1,116,035 cases in 2024 LAHORE: In a significant release under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act 2013, the Punjab police have unveiled a detailed data for 2024, covering criminal case registrations,...