KP public bodies disclose only half of required info, says FAFEN report

ISLAMABAD: Public bodies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) disclose just over half of the legally-mandated information – 57 per cent – on their websites, according to a new transparency assessment report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).

The report, part of FAFEN’s ‘Countering Disinformation through Information’ campaign, highlights that proactive disclosure is crucial to combat misinformation and strengthen public trust.

The assessment reviewed 190 public bodies, including 36 secretariat departments, 98 attached departments, and 56 autonomous bodies, against the disclosure requirements under Section 5 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information (KPRTI) Act, 2013.

On average, KP public bodies disclosed 57 per cent of the required information. Secretariat departments and autonomous bodies led with 64 per cent compliance, while attached departments lagged at 50 per cent.

Top performers among secretariat departments included the Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs Department and the Minerals Development Department, each disclosing 92 per cent of the required information. Among attached departments, IMSciences, Central Prison Peshawar, and Peshawar Development Authority led with 83 per cent compliance. The University of Agriculture, Peshawar topped autonomous bodies with 92 per cent disclosure.

However, gaps remain. Nearly half of the public bodies disclosed less than 50 per cent of mandated information, and some shared as little as 17–25 per cent. While organisational structures (89 per cent) and legal frameworks (84 per cent) were widely available, financial transparency and public decision-making were weak. Only 27 per cent of bodies published budget details, 23 per cent disclosed subsidies or benefits, and just 4 per cent shared recipients of permits, concessions, or licenses. Information on decision-making processes and opportunities for public consultation appeared on only 15 per cent of websites.

FAFEN also found that while 94 per cent of bodies indicated the types of information they hold, just 29 per cent provided guidance for submitting information requests or listed contact details of Public Information Officers (PIOs).

The report concludes that while the KPRTI Act provides a robust legal framework, inconsistent implementation limits citizen oversight. FAFEN urges KP’s public institutions to use digital platforms to share updated, authentic information and enhance transparency and public trust.

FAFEN’s Punjab and Federal transparency assessment reports are already available, with Balochistan and Sindh assessments expected in the coming weeks.