Sunshine is law in Pakistan

The sun is shining over Pakistan. There is an average of 8.5 hours of sunlight every day, 3
Bureacracy & Civil Society exchange 094 hours per year. Depending on the region rainfalls are limited, only about four days per month with rain, sleet, snow etc. Thus, sunshine is almost a law for Pakistan. Most likely it has always been like that – almost a law, but in 2002 sunshine became law in Pakistan not only for some hours but 24 hours seven days a week. Now, sunshine brings some glimpses of sunlight elucidate files and folders of a functioning bureaucracy: By the Freedom of Information Ordinance 2002 – later amended as law – Pakistan has now a so-called sunshine law. For any functioning democracy, this sunshine, this freedom of information of the citizens serves two essential functions:

1. Freedom of Information is an instrument to guarantee transparency.

2. Freedom of Information is an instrument to guarantee accountability

Without transparency and accountability, no democracy can work properly. If governments and bureaucracies act secretively, i.e. if they are not transparent, and if they secure impunity of its office bearers, i.e. if these are not accountable for their actions, then the very basis and the logical framework for democratic institutions are at risk.

- Every citizen has now the right to look up what the government elected by citizens, and what the state employees paid for by the citizens, are doing. Thus, this law is a crucial basis for democracy.

- Only by informing the voters and citizens alike a government and bureaucracy can be accountable. Thus, Freedom of information is meant to be also a tool against corruption.

- Thus, through Freedom of Information every Pakistani can inform him or herself about state activities and responsibilities. Thus, this law is an important step to grant the rights of a citizen.

Pakistan was the first country in the subcontinent to introduce Freedom of Information in
Mukhtar Ahmed Ali, Director CPDI, during Karachi workshop. the legal framework. Nowadays, 85 countries enacted a Freedom of Information law. Pakistan in 2002 was quite in the forefront to establish such a law in order to bring more light into public affairs. Unfortunately, almost eight years after the promulgation of the Ordinance, many government bodies have not even appointed designated officers. Even where appointed, only small efforts have been made to train the designated officers in the implementation of the Ordinance. Those who are trained often lack the backing by their superiors.

In many countries like in India this law was enacted largely due to the pressure and lobby work of civil society. But after legislation the task is not over. Bureaucracy is hesitant to accept control, anywhere in the world. Besides, many citizens do not know their rights about getting information on the activities of the bureaucracy. It is here where civil society continues to possess a responsible role: to popularize the concept and to check political forces who want to turn the wheel back.

Thus, Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (www.cpdi-pakistan.org) continues its struggle for the improvement of Pakistan’s democracy. CPDI not only trains like now recently in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi politicians, bureaucrats and civil society but also continues its work for an improved law on FoI. With the recent workshops and trainings the FNF partner organisation has done crucial steps for betterment. A concise booklet for further understanding is additionally published and can be downloaded on FNF and CPDI homepages and shared as much as possible.

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