Transparency International Pakistan has highlighted serious gaps in how government bodies follow right to information rules. A fresh assessment of 98 key ministries and departments shows overall compliance remains low across the country. Punjab leads with 59 percent compliance among 18 departments. The federal government follows at 47 percent for 14 ministries. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa scores 41 percent across 22 departments. Sindh manages only 31 percent for 25 departments. Balochistan sits at the bottom with just 28 percent across 19 departments.
The review checked websites against the federal Right of Access to Information Act 2017 and matching provincial laws. One of the weakest areas everywhere is budget and expenditure details. Citizens often struggle to find basic financial information that should be available online. The presence of Public Information Officers contact details is also poor in most places. Balochistan scores only 12 percent on this point. Sindh reaches 14 percent. The federal level stands at 36 percent. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa improves to 45 percent. Punjab performs best at 72 percent. These officers form the main channel for people to request information that is not already published.
The report arrives just before Universal Access to Information Day on September 28. It calls for clear action. Information Commissions should create standard formats for proactive disclosure. Departments need better training for Public Information Officers. They must also publish fuller budget and expenditure data. Mandatory listing of PIO contact details is essential. Websites should show how decisions are made and where the public can share views. Every government site needs a dedicated RTI section and minimum quality standards.
Stronger RTI laws Pakistan implementation would build public trust and support open government. Right now the gap between law and practice remains wide. Better disclosure of financial and contact information can help close that gap. Citizens deserve easy access to the facts that shape public spending and decisions. The findings urge every level of government to treat proactive transparency as a daily duty rather than an occasional effort
