Transparency, Robust Rule Of Law Could Stamp Out Systemic Corruption 

News Desk

Lahore: “Transparency, along with a strong regime of rule of law, reasonable wages for public functionaries, and effective anti-corruption laws are sure recipes to eliminate corruption,” stated Chief Information Commissioner Punjab Mahboob Qadir Shah.

He was addressing a seminar titled “RTI–A Sole Remedy for the Elimination of Corruption ” conducted by the Punjab Information Commission on the eve of International Anti-Corruption Day in Abdi Baithak, Al-Hamra Arts Council Lahore.Qadir Shah stated, “The proactive disclosure mechanism through the official websites of public bodies fulfil the need for “transparency”, which keeps a check on violation of rules and regulations, and creates credibility and transparency in the eyes of the public for public bodies.”

He also dilated upon the relentless efforts of Punjab Information Commission for the launch of an RTI Awareness Campaign throughout the Province of Punjab, particularly to strengthen the proactive disclosure regime. The Chief Information Commissioner announced that the Punjab Information Commission has identified five public bodies with comprehensive and dynamic official websites that are role models for other public bodies.Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Sarfraz Cheema participated as the chief guest and appreciated the services of the Punjab Information Commission for the promotion of RTI Law. He mentioned that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government was the first to legislate the first-ever Information Act 2013 under Article 19(A)of the Constitution.

Later, he distributed shields among Secretary Punjab Assembly, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Secretary Schools Education Department, Rana Abdul Qayyum DPI Schools, Secretary Excise &Taxation Department and S & GA Department for best performance in proactive disclosure. Almost 50 heads of departments and Public Information Officers (PIOs) also attended the seminar.