A new assessment by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has revealed that most federal ministries and divisions in Pakistan are not meeting their legal obligations under the Right of Access to Information (RTI) Act, 2017. The failure to disclose critical public information proactively has raised concerns over the spread of misinformation and disinformation, especially on social media, which can undermine the credibility of government bodies.

The FAFEN report warns that the absence of timely and authentic information about public bodies, their functions, and decisions can inadvertently contribute to the growth of misinformation, which may erode public trust in government institutions. The report also stressed that rather than relying solely on legislative and regulatory measures to tackle disinformation, which could be misused, the government should focus on proactive disclosure of information through the optimal use of information technology.

The assessment, conducted between April and June 2024, reviewed the websites of 40 divisions operating under 33 federal ministries. The analysis was based on criteria outlined in Section 5 of the RTI Act, 2017, which mandates the publication of information regarding public bodies, their functions, financial reports, personnel, legal frameworks, policies, decision-making, and access to information processes.

According to the findings, none of the divisions fully complied with the RTI Act’s requirements for disclosing public information online. Moreover, over one-third of the ministries did not respond to information requests, as required by the law.