Lack of transparency: Bank accounts of 30 seminaries, 300 NGOs frozen in G-B

Order issued in accordance with National Action Plan

GILGIT: The bank accounts of 30 seminaries and over 300 non-governmental organisations have been frozen in Gilgit-Baltistan for failing to provide details of sources and activities.

The decision was part of the National Action Plan, adopted in the wake of the terrorist attack at Army Public School in Peshawar in 2014, a police official told The Express Tribune on Tuesday.

The aforementioned information was also stated in an official document signed by Assistant Commissioner Rana Waqas Anwar, who also has registration authority in G-B. According to the statement, the registration of NGOs and seminaries will be cancelled if they fail to submit required documents by the second week of February.

“For the last eight years these madrassas and NGOs haven’t submitted their audit reports, details of projects implemented so far, and sources of funding,” the document stated.



The orders have been communicated to banks operating in the region, it added.

The madrassas, whose accounts were frozen, include Madrassa Taleemul Quran Jagir Baseen, Madrassa Taleemul Quran Napura, Madrassa Jamia Hussaina Haramosh, and Madrassa Bagh Zuhra Complex Bagrote. Similarly, NGOs including Gilgit Arts and Culture Council, Alkarim Welfare Society, Mehnaz Fatima Education and Welfare Organisation in Gilgit, had their funds frozen.

According to Anwar, NGOs and seminaries that submit the required details and documents by February 8 will be allowed to continue operating in the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2016.