INGOs: Nisar sets deadline for completion of registration process

Grants working permits to four INGOs, rejects 10 applications

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday directed the interior ministry that the process of registration of international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) under the new policy should be completed by next month.

He said that the registration of INGOs under the new policy was an important milestone which would bring transparency into the system. “This,” he said, “is critical for the country’s security.”

The interior minister was chairing a high-level meeting at the interior ministry to review the progress made so far in the registration of the INGOs.

The meeting was attended among others by the interior secretary, advocate general, chairman and deputy chairman of NADRA and senior officials of the interior ministry and NADRA.



The interior ministry said that the purpose of the new registration system was to bring in transparency into the process and also to further strengthen the equation between the government and non-governmental sector.

He directed the ministry that besides early completion of registration of INGOs, it should also be ensured that the registered international NGOs were provided every possible facilitation in their professional pursuits.

The interior minister observed that the way INGOs were used in the past for various purposes, it adversely affected not only the INGOs themselves but also eroded confidence between the government and INGOs leading to misunderstandings.

“Transparency of the new system will make up for the past mistakes and revive confidence between the government and the INGOs, thus paving the way for greater cooperation in the socioeconomic sector,” the minister was quoted in the meeting as saying.



The minister directed that the INGOs Wing in the ministry be further strengthened and all correspondence and communications between the ministry and INGOs be computerised so as to reduce time for action and eliminate red tape.

So far 66 INGOs have been granted formal approval by the interior ministry.

The minister directed that the process of decision making should be completed at the earliest possible “keeping in view the past projects, performance and impact of the INGOs”.

The interior minister also approved four INGOs in Friday’s meeting. Besides it decided not to allow 10 INGOs to work in the country. The ministry also undertook to complete registration process on 36 INGOs during the next month.



It was also decided during the meeting that a grace period of three months would be given to INGOs that have been asked to wind up work in the country so that they could complete their ongoing projects.