"Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Bill 2016" passed

KARACHI: (APP) The Sindh Assembly Monday passed the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Bill 2016 into law here.

The bill was presented by the Sindh Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Food, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro.

The session began with recitation from the Holy Quran and Naat Sharif with Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani in the chair.

According to the bill, Sindh Information Commission (SIC) will be constituted to keep a vigil over the implement of the Information law to provide information to the general public.

The commission will be comprised mainly of three-member including Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and two others.

The head of the commission will be an officer of grade-20 and a veteran lawyer and a person from civil society as its members.

To enquire a matter against the commission or its members, the Speaker of Sindh Assembly will form an Investigation Committee (IC).

Any citizen in writing can seek information from any government or private institution.

After receiving the application organization concerned will be bound to provide information within the period of 15 to 30 days.

The commission has right to take action against officer who fails to provide information within prescribed time frame.

Earlier, the Sindh Minster for Irrigation replied to questions regarding Irrigation department. The provincial assembly also constituted a committee on K-Electric issues.

The committee consists of MPAs of all parties present in the assembly.