Civil society lauds decision to not cancel registrations of 3,000 CBOs

Adviser to CM decided to de-register community-based organisations in 2014.

PESHAWAR: Civil Society Alliance, a forum which represents community-based organisations (CBOs), has lauded the provincial government’s decision to not de-register 3,000 community-based organisations across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a press release issued on Sunday, the forum urged the government to continue supporting these groups as they play a vital role in changing social attitudes and encouraging development in the community. “The K-P social welfare department has said there are currently around 4,000 CBOs working in the province,” stated the press release.

However, the fate of these organisations came under threat on December 5, 2014, when Adviser to Chief Minister Dr Meher Taj Roghani announced that the registration of 3,000 CBOs would be cancelled. The alliance termed the decision “unlawful and unconstitutional” and took a firm stance against it. Roghani also faced considerable opposition for her remarks within her own party.

“After facing opposition, the social welfare department decided against de-registering these organisations,” the press release said. According to the statement, Qamar Naseem, a representative of the Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network, welcomed the K-P government’s decision to keep these bodies functional.



“Naseem said the decision serves as welcome proof that the social welfare department wants to foster a healthy relationship with these organisations rather than encourage oppressive practices,” added the handout.

Naseem, according to the statement, also urged local, national and international organisations in the province to comply with registration laws for the benefit of the community and for the national interest.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2015.