PCB directs SOEs to appoint information officers

The Privatisation and Corporatisation Board (PCB) has directed state-owned enterprises to appoint information officers to handle public and media information requests.

In a circular issued on Tuesday, the PCB instructed all government-owned companies and their subsidiaries to designate information officers to provide information on behalf of their organisations.

According to the PCB, the appointed officers should have legal experience or be familiar with the Access to Information Act. The board said this would help ensure that requests for information are handled in accordance with the law.

The PCB also instructed companies to create a dedicated email address for the information officer. The board said this would allow requests submitted under the Right to Information framework and related correspondence to remain accessible even if the officer assigned to the role changes.

The circular clarified that the role can be assigned to an existing employee and does not require amendments to a company’s administrative structure.

The PCB further directed that details of the appointed information officers be made publicly available on company websites. This includes the officer’s contact number and the designated email address for submitting information requests, which should be clearly displayed.

The board noted that companies are required to comply with directives issued under the Privatisation Act.