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President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed his commitment to protecting citizens’ right to information.
In a message marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information, Zardari said people could participate meaningfully in public life only when they had access to timely, credible and reliable information.
He said Pakistan’s Constitution provides a clear foundation for the right to information.
The president noted that the 18th Constitutional Amendment strengthened the framework for freedom of expression and introduced Article 19-A.
The article gives citizens the right to access information on matters of public importance, subject to regulations and reasonable restrictions imposed by law.
Zardari said the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017 provides a legal framework for access to information at the federal level.
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The Pakistan Information Commission also identifies Article 19-A as the constitutional basis for citizens’ access to information. The 2017 law provides a framework for accessing records held by federal public bodies.
However, Zardari said the information environment has changed rapidly with the growth of digital platforms, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
He said the challenge now extends beyond making information available.
Citizens must also be able to distinguish reliable information from false, misleading or artificially manipulated content.
The president said information could be distorted or misused by state and non-state actors, terrorist and criminal networks, as well as powerful technology companies.
He stressed that this environment has increased the importance of credible information and responsible communication.
Zardari highlighted the role of public-interest journalists, media organisations, communication professionals, researchers and other experts in helping citizens navigate the changing information landscape.
He said these groups could help people identify accurate information and make informed decisions.
The president stressed that efforts to tackle monetised misinformation and disinformation should not suppress public-interest journalism.
He also said such measures should not restrict fair criticism or meaningful public debate.
At the same time, Zardari called for greater transparency and accountability from public institutions.
He said government bodies should communicate responsibly and help citizens obtain reliable information from credible sources.
The president added that access to accurate information was particularly important on issues that directly affect people’s lives.
The message comes as Pakistan and other countries face growing challenges from misinformation, artificial intelligence-generated content and rapidly changing digital media.
[…] Zardari Reaffirms Citizens’ Right to Information […]