Freedom of Information in Pakistan: Social and Legal Perspective

Abstract

Over Seventy years have passed since independence, but the colonial system of governance, which excluded public participation in the formulation and implementation of public policy, continues to exist in Pakistan. Citizens have lost confidence in the system and have developed an attitude of apathy towards issues of larger public concern. Recently the inclusion of Article 19(a) recognizing freedom of information in the Constitution as a fundamental right is a step in the right direction; however, mere inclusion in the list of fundamental rights will not serve any purpose unless the practice of this right is facilitated through the development of a system and removal of hindrances in the free flow of information. An effective FOI regime is a need of time. In order to conduct this research, qualitative research methodology was applied, and the instant article was part of the author's PhD research.