Manan Mandokhail:
Quetta – A comprehensive training session for Public Information Officers (PIOs) from federal institutions under the Access to Information Act 2017 was held in Quetta. Organized by the Pakistan Information Commission in collaboration with the Balochistan Information Department and the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), the event focused on equipping PIOs with essential knowledge about their roles under the Access to Information Act.
The training aimed to enhance PIOs’ understanding of their duties in facilitating public access to information, strengthening government transparency. Chief Information Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary Information Imran Khan, Director General of Public Relations Mohammad Noor Khetran, Ejaz Hasan Awan, and former Punjab Information Commissioner Mehboob Qadir Shah attended.
Addressing the attendees, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui emphasized the significance of his visit to Quetta, underscoring the right to information guaranteed by Article 19A of Pakistan’s Constitution. He highlighted that the Act empowers federal officers to ensure public access to vital information, fostering transparency and accountability in governance.