Mardan, April 2, 2014-Chief Information Commissioner Right to Information Commissioner Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sahibzada Muhammad Khalid has said that critical time is ahead for Government Officers in coming days as RTI Law has empowered the common masses to ask for information relating to the respective departments affairs.

This he said while addressing training workshop arranged by RTI Commission under GSP funding g for Public Information Officers of line departments districts Mardan and Swabi held on Wednesday here in Abdul Wali khan University.

Professor Dr Ihsan Ali, Vice Chancellor Abdul Wali Khan University was the Chief Guest and Mr. Abdul Mateen Khan and Professor Kaleemullah Commissioners RTI Commission and Nasir Uddin Consultant World Bank were the resource persons.Atif Yousafzai Communication Specialist Governance Support Project World Bank has welcome the participants.

Sahibzada Khalid said that politicians had played their role by passing the revolutionary rights laws and now turn was with the Government officials. He said that government officials should not refuse the information request otherwise he would take stern action against the accused PIOs.

Dr Ihsan Ali said that RTI Commission might check the negative culture and practices of the common masses as he feared that RTI Act might loss its essence in its objectives.He offered to RTI Commission that Abdul Wali Khan University would give all its support in achieving its goals

The resources Persons explained the role and responsibilities of Public Information Officers and explained exempt information lists.They said that PIO shall facilitate the requesters and would have to provide information within 20 days.They answered the questions of the paricipants.