Terms of Reference

A Decade of Information Commissions: RTI Enforcement Mechanisms, Achievements, Issues and Challenges

About CPDI

Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) is an independent, non-partisan and a not-for-profit civil society organization, which has been working on the issues of peace and development since 2005. It is registered under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), which was later substituted by the Companies Act 2017. CPDI seeks to inform and influence public policies and civil society initiatives through research-based advocacy and capacity building to promote active citizenship, build peace and achieve inclusive and sustainable development. Areas of special sectoral focus include promotion of peace and tolerance; rule of law; local governance; transparency and access to information; budget watch; media development; electoral reforms; legislative strengthening, democratic development, climate change mitigation and adaptation; and public health.

About the Assignment

1.        Background

This assignment is under the CPDI partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) in the areas of right to information. Article 19-A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees the right of access to information on matters of public importance for all citizens, and right to information laws enacted in all provinces and at the federal level are also supposed to ensure information accessibility for all citizens, including persons with different disabilities. It has been almost a decade since the first information commission was established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2013, followed by Punjab Information Commission in 2014, Pakistan Information Commission  at the federal level in 2018 and Sindh Information Commission in 2019. Therefore, there is enough empirical data available to gauge the level of effectiveness of these commissions in protecting and promoting citizens’ right of access to information in matters of public importance. It is in this context that CPDI will be conducting a comprehensive research study titled ‘A Decade of Information Commissions: RTI Enforcement Mechanisms, Achievements, Issues and Challenges’.

2.        Purpose and Scope of the Assignment:

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of right to information (RTI) laws and commissions in Pakistan over the past decade. The study will analyze the performance of information commissions established in KP, Punjab, at the federal level, and Sindh, focusing on their enforcement mechanisms, achievements, issues, and challenges.

Following topics will be covered in the research study based on primary and secondary data:

1. Importance of RTI Enforcement Mechanisms
2. RTI Enforcement Mechanisms
3.  Composition and Structure of Information Commissions
4.  Process of the Appointment of the Members of Information Commissions
5.  Role of Information Commissions in Implementation of RTI Laws
6. Powers and Functions of Information Commissions.
7. Achievements of Information Commissions\
8. Landmark Decisions and Precedents
9.  Cases of Successful Implementation
10. Issues in Implementation of RTI Laws
11. Information Commission Perspectives: Challenges Facing Information Commissions
12. Civil Society Perspectives: Performance of Information Commissions
13. Best Practices Employed by Information Commissions
14. Civil Society Role in Strengthening Enforcement Mechanisms
15. Recommendations

3.        Deliverables and Payments: 

First draft of the report leading to the final version of the report after incorporation of any feedback or suggestions of CPDI/FNF. Upon the completion of report, consultant will be paid a lump sum amount. A PowerPoint presentation on the findings of the report along with the final version of the report should be submitted.

4.       Required Qualification/Specifications: 

• At least master’s degree with more than 15 years of relevant experience in studying and analyzing RTI laws
• A comprehensive understanding of RTI
• Exceptional report writing skills with established history of writing books, articles and reports etc.
• Ability to complete the report within given time.