Peshawar
In an event hosted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Commission, Barrister Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel, the Caretaker Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressed the importance of government transparency and public awareness through access to information.
He emphasized that informed citizens are essential for holding governments accountable and cited Hazrat Umar’s exemplary response to a question as a historical precedent.
Furthermore, he underscored the relevance of the Holy Quran in guiding our lives and urged for proactive disclosure of information to evaluate government performance. Barrister Kakakhel also expressed concern over the recent MDCAT test incident, highlighting the need for merit-based rewards for the youth.
Provincial Minister Barrister Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel acknowledged the challenges facing the province and called for responsibility and corrective measures to instill confidence in the youth. He emphasized the importance of meritocracy and transparency, asserting that public access to information is a fundamental component of achieving this goal.
He pointed out the province’s efforts, with 1146 public information officers working diligently to provide timely information. The commission’s performance, having resolved over 23,000 of the 25,000 requests promptly, indicates its effectiveness, he said.
Barrister Kakakhel informed the audience that Chief Commissioner Farah Hamid Khan and her team are making significant strides in their roles, with plans to appoint more commissioners shortly. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Secretary Information and Public Relations Syed Jabbar Shah, former Chief Commissioner Azmat Hanif Orakzai, Professor Kaleem Ullah, and others. In the event, awards recognizing outstanding performances were distributed. In the category of media, journalist Muhammad Faheem, PIO category Deputy Secretary Finance Anwar Zeb, and citizen category Majid Ali received awards. The ceremony drew the participation of numerous media representatives and the public as well.
