TRANSPARENCY ACROSS BORDERS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RTI LAWS IN INDIA AND PAKISTAN

AUTHOR – AGAM DIXIT, INDEPENDENT LEGAL RESEARCHER AND WRITER BASED IN AGRA, INDIA

BEST CITATION – AGAM DIXIT, TRANSPARENCY ACROSS BORDERS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RTI LAWS IN INDIA AND PAKISTAN, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 4 (3) OF 2024, PG. 14-19, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

This paper provides a detailed comparative analysis of the Right to Information (RTI) laws in India and Pakistan, two nations with a common heritage but varying approaches to democratic transparency. It assesses the historical evolution, legal frameworks, and the implementation challenges of RTI laws in both countries, exploring how they facilitate or impede public access to government-held information. The analysis utilizes international best practices, particularly those outlined by ARTICLE19, to evaluate the effectiveness of these laws in promoting governmental transparency and accountability. Key challenges such as bureaucratic resistance, political instability, and legal loopholes are discussed, highlighting their impact on the enforcement of RTI provisions. Recommendations are provided to enhance the robustness and effectiveness of RTI laws, aiming for an adherence to global standards of open government.

Keywords: Right to Information, transparency, governmental accountability, India, Pakistan, comparative law, bureaucratic resistance