New Chief Information Commissioner Professor Nahreen Islam Khan has said the Information Commission will operate with full independence and neutrality. She made it clear that the commission will not side with the public or the government, but will act as an impartial institution in upholding the law and ensuring the right to information.
She made these remarks while presenting the commission's activities at a press conference held at its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Thursday. She expressed her firm belief that a strong Information Commission would help the government move forward on the path of democracy.
New commission breaks two-year deadlock
The appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner and two other Information Commissioners on October 17 marked an initiative to overcome a two-year-long impasse. Following the July 2024 mass uprising, the then commission resigned and was removed. No new commission was formed during the interim government's tenure.The new commission was formed eight months after the BNP came to power. Professor Nahreen Islam Khan of Jahangirnagar University was appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner. The other two commissioners are journalist S A M Mahfuzur Rahman and Khan Mohammad.
Outreach to universities
The press conference also revealed that letters have already been sent to university vice-chancellors to strengthen the commission's activities. This initiative aims to build collaborative relationships with educational institutions and raise awareness about the right to information.The new commission is expected to work towards the proper implementation of the Right to Information Act and ensuring citizens' access to information. Maintaining the commission's neutrality and independence to earn public trust remains the primary goal of the new body.
