‘Anti-state’ activities: Punjab shuts down several NGOs

Closure notices have been sent after being accused of involvement in ‘anti-state’ activities

LAHORE: Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Punjab have received closure notices by the authorities after being accused of involvement in ‘anti-state’ activities, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Some other NGOs in the province have been told that permanent representatives will be deputed at their offices to monitor their activities.

The South Asia Partnership (SAP) Pakistan shared with The Express Tribune a letter it received from Punjab’s Baitul Maal which stated: “We have been informed by the Ministry of Interior, Islamabad that SAP has been observed working in south Punjab pursuing an anti-state agenda, accusing armed forces of harassing workers and curtailing the freedom of action of NGOs/INGOs. “Towards this end, the NGO prepared a shadow report for sharing with the UN Human Rights Commission which presented a very bleak picture of the human rights situation in Pakistan, forgetting the measures taken in context of the National Action Plan and Operation Zarb-e-Azb. As per directions of higher authorities, you [SAP] are not allowed to work in Layyah district,” the letter added.

Other NGOs which have been told by Punjab authorities to either restrict their activities, allow government representatives to monitor them or to permanently shut down their offices include the Cholistan Development Council Bahawalpur, Anjuman Falah-e-Niswan Chichawatni, Maan Welfare Foundation Chichawatni, Awaz CDS Multan, Women in Struggle for Empowerment and five other organisations based in Muzaffargarh.

The Cholistan Development Council Bahawalpur has challenged the closure orders it received in Lahore High Court and has been able to win a stay.

Talking to The Express Tribune, SAP Pakistan Director Mohammad Tehseen said the notices appeared to have been issued over someone’s personal vendetta against the NGOs..

Addressing a news conference on Friday, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Secretary General I A Rehman confirmed that the activities of several NGOs in Punjab were being restricted.

The Express Tribune tried several times to contact Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, and other senior officials but received no response.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2017.