File photo of chief minister Balochistan , Jam Kamal chairing a meeting

Staff Reporter:

The Balochistan cabinet on Wednesday approved the Right to Information Bill (RTI) to empower the citizens to get information with regard to government functionaries in the province. Chief Minister, Jam Kamal Khan and other cabinet members thoroughly discussed the importance of RTI and its impact on improving governance.

“Yes the cabinet approved the bill”, Liaquat Shahwani, the Spokesman government of Balochistan said. He said the RTI bill was aimed at empowering common people to get information about government departments.

The approval of the RTI bill has been one of the long-standing demands of journalists community, civil society and political parties of the province. The RTI would replace the 2005 act. The newly approved act would be presented before the Balochistan Assembly. Under the RTI bill, chief commissioner and commissioners would be appointed across the province to empower the masses to get timely information.

Apart from this, the cabinet also approved an extension in the appointment period of chairman Balochistan’s environmental protection agency. The cabinet also approved the establishment of the home department’s probation offices at Sibi, Turbat, Loralai and Khuzdar. The health department has been allowed to recruit staff nurses in government-run hospitals on ad-hoc bases.

 

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Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.