Access to information ensures accountability, CJP Qazi Faez Isa

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa said on Saturday that every citizen has the right to access information for ensuring accountablity.

Addressing from training workshop for journalists in Islamabad today,  the CJP said Salvation is in Truth, adding whether (you) agree with us or not, but we shall be together on truth.

Article 19 mentioned freedom of the press, while the second clause, Article 19A, was about the fundamental right of access to information, adding access to information is a constitutional right of every citizen, and it is not just a matter of the court’s will, CJP stated.

The CJP said a citizen enquired, how many employees are there in supreme court? citizen was not answered, which led him to approach the commission for the answer, so why don’t we tell the people what we are doing (at SC)?

He said every institution run by public money belongs to the people, citizens should get information about every institution run by public tax, The CJP also said that important cases were being broadcast live so that people can understand and raise question.

The SC for the first time released its first quarterly report on its website, which revealed that the number of cases to be disposed of was higher than registered ones, CJP said. A total of 4,466 cases were registered against 5,305 of the ones completed, the report mentioned.