- Premier Shehbaz reaffirms government’s commitment to fundamental right of every citizen to seek, receive and impart information
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to all stakeholders including government institutions, civil society, media and tech platforms to join hands to build a more open, transparent, and knowledge-based society.
In a message on International Day for Universal Access to Information being observed on Sunday, he reaffirmed government’s commitment to fundamental right of every citizen to seek, receive and impart information.
The Prime Minister said free flow of information strengthens governance, promotes social inclusion, and builds trust between the state and its people. He said access to information is a democratic right and a powerful tool for transparency, accountability and empowerment of people. He said countries can only tread on the path of peace, justice and sustainable development through informed societies.
The Prime Minister mentioned the steps taken by Pakistan to guarantee the right to information of citizens through legislative and institutional reforms. He vowed to continue to move forward with determination to ensure that all sections of society, especially women, youth and marginalized groups, benefit from equal access to information. The Prime Minister said process of digitalization has also been initiated to preserve and facilitate access to public records.
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Government’s commitment to eliminate scourge of terrorism from the country.
In their separate messages on killing seventeen Indian sponsored Khwarij by security forces in Lakki Marwat, they paid tribute to courage and sacrifices of forces, saying their efforts reflect nation’s firm resolve to eradicate Indian proxy terrorism from Pakistan’s soil.
In his statement, President Asif Ali Zardari said the elimination of Fitna al-Khwarij and its networks is vital for lasting peace and stability in the country. He reaffirmed that the entire nation stands united with its valiant armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
In his message, the Prime Minister said the nefarious designs of the terrorists were thwarted due to the professionalism and timely action of the security forces.