Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments urged to enact 'Access to Information' law

Chairman of Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) Raja Shafqat Abassi on Friday appreciated active role of the present democratic government in promoting freedom of press in the country. He expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the PCP, which is a regulatory body meant to protect the rights of journalists and general public.
The meeting urged the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to enact the law 'Access to Information' in their respective provinces, said a press release. The council also called upon the federal government to implement the already existing Access to Information, in letter and spirit, in all the federal government departments. It also demanded to repeal "the Defamation Act, 2004 and amend Section 500 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) whereby 502-A of Criminal Procedure Code (PCP)." In its meeting, the council unanimously approved the modus operandi for lodging complaints with the PCP and stressed the need for launching a media campaign for creating awareness among masses about the code of ethics.
It should be launched through pamphlets, booklets, posters and websites, suggesting media organisations to display the same in their organisations to sensitise the media persons about the code of conduct. The meeting also decided to establish the Council's regional offices in all the provincial headquarters in a phased manner. It reviewed the progress on establishment of endowment fund as announced by the Prime Minister. "The Council asked the government that the announcement made by the Prime Minister should be accelerated." The council discussed various proposals for making conducive environment for the media persons, ensuring their safety, security and protection. The council lauded the role of media and lawyers in restoration of judiciary and ensuring rule of law in the country. The PCP approved the name of Altaf Ullah Khan, Chairman Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Peshawar, as member of the council as per requirement under the Ordinance, 2002.
The council authorised a committee consisting of PCP Chairman Raja Shafqat Abbasi, Mujibur-Rahman Shami and Nasir Zaidi to form 'complaint and appellant committees as well as inquiry commissions' to dispose of the complaints. The PCP approved the draft Regulations under which it may take suo motu notice on any matter pertaining to the freedom of press, in terms of Section 9 of the Regulations.
"It was provided that no member of the Council, Committee or sub-Committee shall take part in the proceedings of any complaint under consideration of the Council Commission, Committee or Sub-Committee if he is personally interested directly or indirectly in its decision. It was also provided in the draft Regulations that the public can file their complaints through email, fax or by post," the press release added.
The meeting was attended among others by PCP members including Majid Nizami, Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami, Wamiq A. Zuberi, Siddiq Baloch, Syed Faseih Iqbal, Bachal Leghari, Ghulam Nabi Mughul, Iqbal Jaffri, Nasir Zaidi, MNAs Yasmeen Rehman and Saira Afzal Tarar, Nasreen Aslam Azhar, Aayesha Ikram and other senior officials of the council.