The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has urged for strengthening the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act (PATRIA), emphasising the need for reforms to effectively counter misinformation.

FAFEN stressed the importance of close collaboration between the Punjab Assembly, Punjab Information Commission, and civil society, stating that the policy brief titled “Countering Disinformation through Access to Information” is a crucial part of its ongoing campaign.

According to FAFEN, Pakistan is increasingly grappling with misinformation, which fuels political polarisation. To restore public trust, reinforcing the Right to Information (RTI) framework is imperative.

While PATRIA has been lauded as a progressive law, its implementation faces challenges due to legal ambiguities and institutional weaknesses.

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FAFEN’s assessment of PATRIA’s enforcement reveals that almost 80% of government departments are unclear about their responsibility to publish annual compliance reports.

Additionally, a majority of public institutions have failed to respond to FAFEN’s information requests within the legally mandated timeframe.