National Disability and Development Forum (NDF), Transparency International Pakistan organized a Capacity Building Workshop on the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act 2016 for community members in the district of Shaheed Benazirabad

Nawabshah (Press Release): National Disability and Development Forum (NDF), Transparency International Pakistan organized a Capacity Building Workshop on the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act 2016 for community members in the district of Shaheed Benazirabad.

During the workshop, a large number of community members, including women and people with disabilities, participated. At the event, Saad Alam Angaria, Assistant Project Coordinator of Transparency International Pakistan, highlighted the importance of the right to information and explained the key features of the Act. He emphasized that by using the right to information as outlined in Article 19-A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, citizens can contribute to informed decision-making and promote transparency and accountability in matters of public interest. He further stated that it is essential for women and people with disabilities to exercise their right to information and foster social accountability in institutions for their rights. They can obtain information from relevant departments and use this information to highlight key issues to prevent violations of their rights.Tariq Hussain Channar, Project Manager of NDF, in his speech, said that information plays a key role in decision-making. He explained that this is a way through which the public can contribute to the development of transparent institutions. He also mentioned that there is very little awareness about the Right to Information laws. He urged community members to play their part in promoting accountability and encouraged fellow participants to contribute to good governance practices.Later, participant Asma shared her experience and highlighted the challenges faced by people with disabilities in having their voices heard. She stated that by using the Right to Information, Persons with Disabilities (PWD) can access crucial information related to government services concerning their rights and contribute to reflecting their voices in policies.Participants were also engaged in an activity to write Right to Information applications, during which they raised various issues and expressed their intention to seek answers from public institutions.