Transparency in Sindh’s government institutions remains a serious concern, as most departments have failed to meet required standards for public disclosure, according to a new report by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN).
The report reveals that only 54 percent of information held by provincial government departments has been made accessible to the public, while nearly half remains undisclosed. FAFEN assessed a total of 61 government institutions in Sindh, including 36 secretariat departments and 25 subordinate bodies.
The findings highlight a significant lack of governance-related information. Only 15 percent of institutions shared details related to decision-making processes, disclosing just 10 percent of the required information. While 54 percent of departments published partial or complete budget details, information regarding subsidy and incentive programs was found to be extremely limited. Only five percent of institutions released details related to such programs.
According to the report, the Sindh Finance Department, Investment Department, and the Chief Minister’s Secretariat were ranked as the most transparent. The Information Department and the Human Rights Department disclosed 73 percent of information, while the Bureau of Statistics made 67 percent of its information public.
The report also pointed out weak compliance with public information laws. Only 14 percent of government institutions published contact details of Public Information Officers, and just six percent shared records of actions taken on information requests.
FAFEN emphasized that improving access to public information is essential for strengthening governance, accountability, and public trust in Sindh’s government institutions.
