ISLAMABAD: Members of civil society have demanded the government appoint members of the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) that has been dysfunctional for almost a month.

In a letter to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and the secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), said the first information commissioner retired on November 17, 2022, after completing its four-year term.

PIC is an independent body to ensure theimplementation of the Right of Access to Information Act 2017. Its prime responsibility is to receive and decide on appeals under section 17 of the Act. However, the commission has power to summon officers of the federal government to enforce the Act.

Mr Ahmad demanded the process for the appointment of a new chief information commissioner and information commissioners be initiated and completed without any further delay in order to meet the mandatory legal requirement under the Act.

He demanded that the government should ensure implementation of the Act and make PIC functional by appointing persons of integrity and relevant experience without further delay.