April 11, 2016, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon’s latest episode was about the Right to Public Services (RTS) Act 2014 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(KP). The idea was to sensitize listeners about the Act, and the performance of the RTS C.
The key points of discussion related to the need of the Act and Commission as a tool to ensure basic human rights, timely delivery of public services and the Commission as a tool to enforce the rule of law, imrpove governance, and accountability. Moreover, the program also highlighted the lack of public confidence in government institutions, lack of awareness among the public about the act, and progress made by the RTS commission to date.
The program was aired under the theme of “Jarga Marraka” (debate and council), on Monday, Mr. Azmat Hanif Orakzai, Chief Commissioner, RTS Commission, was a guest on the show.
The special report aired during the show highlighted concerns of the public about the progress of the RTS commission and government officials to provide on time services.
Mr. Aurangzeb Khan, a resident of Peshawar, said,: I used to visit the deputy commissioner office but never found him in office to resolve my property documentary evidence issue, which is stuck due to him. Deputy Commissioner lives in his bungalow where a common man is hardly allowed to get in. We have submitted many applications but in vain.
Mr. Bilal Khan, from Peshawar, said,: I am not satisfied with the act and commission. Still, government officers delay our work. I have submitted documents for domicile certificate, but no progress so far.
Five callers took part in the show. They urged the Commission to spread awareness among the masses about the Act, establish a complaint box in each government institution, and make its practical implementation possible in all the regions of KP.
Mr. Muhammad Umar, a caller on the show, said: , We don’t know about this law and the Commission. This is the responsibility of the Commission to spread awareness among the masses about it for its best implementation.
Mr. Kamran Bangash said,: We are running a non-profit organization and have submitted an application for its registration with the social welfare department, but the department is creating hurdles rather than solving our issues.
Mr. Azmat Hanif Orakzai, Chief Commissioner, RTS commission KP
“The RTS commission has shown immense progress so far. We have deployed our focal persons in each district of KP, who are informing the locals about RTS Act , the Commission, and redressing complaints. Besides this, we are closely working with other departments to make it more affective. We are informing the public via seminars, radio and through print media campaign, so that the public can contact the Commission for help. I am thankful to CRSS for this platform as it is a good means for spreading awareness among people regarding different issues.