Sukkur: Sindh Information Commission Holds Awareness Seminar for Designated Officers on Right to Information Law
Sukkur, August 10, 2026: An awareness seminar was organized by the Sindh Information Commission at the Arts Council Sukkur to brief designated officers of government departments about providing accurate and complete information to applicants under the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016.
Addressing the awareness seminar, Senior Commissioner of the Sindh Information Commission, Muhammad Saleem Khan, said that the first Information Commission in Sindh was established in 2017 under the Right to Information law. He said that the Commission is constituted for a three-year term and comprises a Chief Commissioner and two Commissioners, while an Executive Director also performs responsibilities in the affairs of the Commission.
Muhammad Saleem Khan said that the Sindh Information Commission has also conducted inspections of Sehwan Development, Sindh Services Hospital and other institutions. He added that the Commissioners and Executive Director of the Sindh Information Commission are always available to the public and government officers for communication and guidance on all relevant matters.
He said that the Right to Information law is applicable throughout Pakistan, while the Sindh Information Commission is an independent and autonomous institution that can also exercise the powers of a civil court under the law.
Every citizen of Pakistan has the right to submit an application to the designated focal person of the relevant government department and obtain the required information, he said.
Commissioner Noor Muhammad Dayo, while addressing the seminar, said that all designated officers are bound to register applications submitted by citizens seeking information and respond to them within 15 days in accordance with the law. He said that, on the basis of a valid reason, an additional 10 days may also be allowed for providing the required information.
Noor Muhammad Dayo further said that designated officers of all government departments represent the Government of Sindh. He said that the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act provides a legal mechanism aimed at ensuring good governance, transparency and the provision of information to the public.
He said that if a complaint is received against a designated officer for failing to provide the required information to an applicant, the Commission has the authority, after conducting an inquiry, to impose penalties, punishment and take other legal action in accordance with the law.
Every Pakistani citizen has the right to obtain information regarding public welfare projects, expenditures incurred on such projects and the utilization of funds, he said.
Noor Muhammad Dayo said that transparency should be visible in every government department and all officers should properly organize and preserve information and records related to their respective departments.
He warned that if a designated officer fails to provide the required record to an applicant, provides incorrect information, conceals information or destroys records, strict legal action may be taken against the officer.
He urged all designated officers to deal with citizens seeking information with good manners, a positive attitude and courtesy, and to provide the required information in a satisfactory manner, as this is an essential requirement of the law.
He also directed the officers to carefully study the Right to Information law and all the information and guidelines provided under it, and to fulfill all legal requirements concerning the provision of information.
Executive Director of the Sindh Information Commission Zulfiqar Sheikh also addressed the seminar and highlighted the objectives and importance of the law regarding the provision of accurate, complete and timely information to the public.
During the awareness seminar, the work and performance of various government departments, particularly the Police Department, in providing information to the public under the Right to Information law were also appreciated.