ISLAMABAD, January 7, 2025: A majority of federal ministries and their divisions are not fully complying with the categoric requirements for proactive disclosure of public information on their websites, as embodied in the Right of Access to Information Act (RTI), 2017. This gap enables the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, according to the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
FAFEN highlights that the absence of timely and authentic information about public bodies, their functions, and decisions can inadvertently encourage misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media, which may undermine the credibility of government institutions. Instead of relying solely on legislative and regulatory measures to address misinformation and disinformation, which carry the potential for misuse, FAFEN emphasizes the need for proactive disclosure of information through optimal use of information technology. Such measures would not only counter misinformation and disinformation effectively but also enhance government transparency and public confidence.
According to FAFEN’s assessment of the websites of 40 divisions operating under 33 federal ministries, none of the assessed entities fully complied with the RTI Act, which mandates government bodies to proactively disclose public information online, in accordance with the principles of Article 19-A of the Constitution. Moreover, over one-third of the ministries did not respond to information requests as required by the law.
Conducted between April and June 2024, the assessment was made under criteria established by Section 5 of the RTI Act, 2017, which includes information about an overview of public bodies, reports and investigations, public services and conditions, personnel information, legal framework and policies, decision-making and financial information and access to information.
A division-wise analysis of website disclosures revealed significant variations in compliance with the RTI law. The Cabinet Division and the Inter-Provincial Coordination Division ranked the highest, achieving a compliance rate of 42% with Section 5 of the RTI Act. Fifteen divisions fell within the compliance range of 31% to 40%. Among these, six divisions — Establishment, Petroleum, National Heritage and Culture, Revenue, Interior, and Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives — achieved 38% compliance each. Another seven divisions — Commerce, Communications, Federal Education and Professional Training, Foreign Affairs, Privatization, Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, and Water Resources — reported 35% compliance each. The Climate Change and Information Technology and Telecommunication Divisions had the lowest compliance in this group at 31%.
Thirteen divisions fell into the 21% to 30% compliance category. Within this range, Aviation, Defence, Defence Production, Economic Affairs, Power, Human Rights, Law and Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, Railways, and Science and Technology divisions each achieved 27% compliance. Meanwhile, the Finance, Industries and Production, and National Food Security and Research divisions had a compliance rate of 23%.
Nine divisions were categorized as having compliance rates between 11% and 20%. Of these, six divisions — Housing and Works, Information and Broadcasting, Ports and Shipping, Narcotics Control, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, and Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development — reported 19% compliance each. The National Security, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, and States and Frontier divisions each achieved 15%. The Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division ranked the lowest, with just 8% of the legally-required information available on its website.
Following the website assessment, FAFEN filed RTI requests with 33 federal ministries to obtain information. Of these, 19 ministries responded, while 14 ministries did not provide any information. Among the responses, only nine ministries (27%) provided the requested information within the stipulated 10 working days. However, 10 ministries (30%) provided the information after the legally-required timeframe. The remaining 14 ministries have yet to provide the requested information. Ministries such as Climate Change, Commerce, and Defence Production were among the group that responded promptly within the timeframe. In contrast, ministries including Finance and Revenue, Interior, and Railways were among those that did not provide any response within or beyond the legal timeframe.
Detailed report can be accessed here.
