Overview

• In separate statements on September 28, Pakistan’s president and prime minister called access to information a fundamental democratic right and a tool for transparency and accountability.
• President Asif Ali Zardari warned that misinformation and fake news distort truth and erode trust, urging the public to avoid sharing unverified social media content and emphasizing responsible reporting.
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealed to government bodies, civil society, media and technology platforms to work together to build a more open, knowledge-based society.
• Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to every citizen’s right to seek, receive and share information, saying credible information strengthens governance, inclusion and public trust.
• Both leaders emphasized inclusive access, with the prime minister highlighting women, youth and marginalized communities, and he cited existing steps such as the Pakistan Information Commission under the 2017 Right of Access to Information law and moves to digitize public records.