We know nothing

Policymakers in Pakistan have expressed growing concern over the rampant spread of misinformation and fake news. Various strategies to combat this ‘dangerous virus’ have been discussed, given its detrimental impact on the country’s reputation on the global stage. However, one critical factor has been overlooked: the vacuum created by the lack of credible, accessible information – a gap that allows fake news to flourish. A recent report by the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) has made this point articulately. According to Fafen, most federal ministries and divisions are failing to comply with the Right of Access to Information (RTI) Act, 2017 by not providing complete public information on their websites. This failure creates a fertile ground for misinformation and disinformation to thrive. Indeed, the absence of accurate, publicly available information has led to a situation where individuals fabricate figures and narratives, often shared widely without verification.

Political leaders are among the worst offenders. They frequently cite unverifiable statistics to score political points, and when pressed on their accuracy, they dismiss accountability by hiding behind the excuse of ‘political rhetoric’. The damage caused by such misleading statements, however, is rarely undone. This is because the public has limited avenues to fact-check such claims – a direct consequence of the government’s failure to ensure transparency. Fafen’s review of 40 divisions under 33 federal ministries found that none fully complied with the RTI Act, which mandates proactive online disclosure of public information under Article 19A of the constitution. More than one-third of ministries ignored information requests entirely. The review, conducted between April and June 2024, highlighted significant compliance gaps, with the cabinet and inter-provincial coordination divisions scoring the highest, but only at a dismal 42 per cent. When a government deliberately withholds information, it inevitably invites the challenge of fake news. Transparency is the hallmark of a well-functioning state. Public disclosures empower citizens to hold their representatives accountable for unmet promises and policy failures. RTI laws serve as a tool to improve governance by allowing experts and researchers to identify gaps and suggest alternative solutions. Conversely, withholding information results in a loss for all stakeholders: citizens, policymakers and the nation as a whole.

The importance of transparency extends beyond governance. Globally, the availability of public data has fueled innovation and growth. Engineers, researchers, and businesses rely on such information to develop solutions and optimise operations. Pakistan, however, remains stuck in a lackadaisical approach to information disclosure, lagging far behind its peers in leveraging data as a driver of progress. The government must act decisively to address this issue. Ministries and divisions that fail to comply with the RTI Act should face penalties to ensure accountability. Transparency is not optional; it is fundamental to building trust, and providing good governance.