Pakistan

NGO collecting cash instead of data?

Express May 23, 2010

LAHORE: The Punjab Health Department has cancelled a contract with an NGO, 'Nai Zindagi' after a revelation of Rs 183 million embezzlement by the organisation. The NGO is also refusing an audit of its spending.

According to documents available with Express News, the Health Department had signed a contract with Nai Zindagi on April 1st, 2009.

According to the contract, the NGO was assigned to collect data of people addicted to Morphine. Under the PC-1, about Rs 965 million were allocated for the project spreading over five years.

The Health Department has constituted a five-member committee to probe the issue and report in 15 days. The World Bank has also been asked to halt funding to the NGO.

However, Nai Zindagi Executive Director Tariq Zafar says the NGO is working in compliance with UN and World Bank rules. Zafar rejected allegations of embezzlement, saying that the audit of the trust is done on annual basis.

COMMENTS (3)

Patrick O'Gorman | 14 years ago | Reply Dear Editor, I have posted the below to Pakistan Criminal records. However, I believe it is better placed with your journalists. I am concerned about the lack of objectivity and thoroughness of your assigned journalist. In this case, either the whole international community (which has recognised the significant work achieved by Nai Zindagi in prevention of transmission of HIV among street-based drug users) or many people in Pakistan - UNAIDS, UNDP, The Pakistani CCM are wrong or the recent incumbant in Punjab government health department are wide of the mark. I know who my money is on!!!. I would suggest you gather your team and provide some basic motivation to them to work harder in unveiling facts around stories before submitting sensational and erroneous copy. Yours sincerely Patrick O'Gorman here is what I previously wrote. Recently, I was flying to Pakistan, (I travel there 2 or 3 times a year), and a fellow traveller (journalist) decried the quality of reporting in Pakistani newspapers. I took issue with this and said that since 1999, when I first visited Pakistan, I had seen an increasing maturity in Pakistani media. This article, however, vindicates my fellow traveller statement. The lack of evidence presented, the stereotyping of NGOs, the lip service paid to government statements does not show this writer in a good light. What was he thinking? Does he not know that this is shooting himself in the foot? The world looks on at Pakistanis (wrongly, I believe), as a corrupted people. I have received nothing less than impeccable honesty during my many visits, wonderful hospitality and “long forgotten (elsewhere)” courtesy. Could this journalist not have done some basic investigation of the story before he committed it to press? Please, not everything The Punjab Health Department does is blessed by God. I suspect, the journalist, (if he does some basic insight and investigation) will discover that this action is a result of crass bullying and threats. So some maturity and reflection before sending off copy, please

Wajdan | 14 years ago | Reply Although it might not be right to judge someone before any verification just would like to ask one question if the monitoring is done and the funds were released it means that the reports were satisfactory and since the Govt. department is only to blame so keeping the tradition alive instead of accepting their mistake the Govt. has blamed the NGO. Did not get satisfied by this one sided story and would like to know more before this can be judged. Like Mr. Fido Dido said is it important to save humanity or is it important to cut off the only hope these people have and watch them die infact watch out country die. if I am not wrong and as indicated by Mr. Fido Dido too, if this is the same NGO announced as having the biggest rehabilitation program in Pakistan by Al Jazeera then I think there is something else going on may be the governement wants to prove something else which they couldn't do so decided to cancel the contract, May be the governement wanted to keep the money for themselves who knows may be I am wrong but what if I AM RIGHT just think for a minute should we like always believe what the governement tells us and take away the only hope we have left to save our country. I think this thinking of everyone that "NGO's are only collecting cash" might be a bit harsh by saying this you are turning your back on those NGO's who are doing a good job (like Nai Zindagi proven by footage on Al Jazeera and Dawn News). I am sure the common man would understand this and give NGO's a chance and they will protest against the right of Govt. to cancel any contrcat as and when they please. So please think about the people who will suffer the most due to this negative step of the Government. The governemnt should try to understand that they are challenging the authority of an institution like "WORLD BANK" and what was the Governemnt doing all these five years what about all the staff were they all sleeping? I am sure that there is someother side to this story which should be heard..............!

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

fido dido | 14 years ago | Reply Few month ago I saw world wide recognition of Nai Zindagi by Aljazeera News channel & Dawn News who termed this NGO as pioneer in saving people from HIV enigma & as far as i know no other NGO is conducting such a massive & extensive program engineered in saving lives of people from drugs. 1) How come one fine morning Govt. terms it as cash collector as funds are always provided not snatched so how come one be termed as cash collector? 2) UN & World Bank always contract a highly credible NGO & it shows that if it was contracted then it was credible or second thing which comes to my mind is that UN or World Bank also lacks assessment capabilities as they contracted this body....is it true????? This also shows a clear negligence of Govt. side that they have no consistent tracking or monitoring system present with them. Instead of blaming we should hold hands together to fight against a dreadful disease which has an avalanche effect & with each passing second it advances to the destruction. "There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed". Woodrow Wilson

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ

Entertainment

Trump weighs 90-day TikTok extension as deadline looms

Netflix CEO reveals David Lynch was creating a limited series before his death

Updated 13 hours ago

Ted Sarandos reveals David Lynch was working on a Netflix series before his death, filled with mystery.
Taran Killam exits off-Broadway show after losing home in Los Angeles fires

Updated 13 hours ago

Killam resigns from ‘Urinetown’ off-Broadway production after losing his Pacific Palisades home in devastating fires.
KSI set to fight Wayne Bridge in boxing match on March 29

Updated 14 hours ago

KSI is reportedly fighting former Chelsea and Manchester City player Wayne Bridge on March 29, pending contracts.
Donald Trump’s $TRUMP meme coin sparks controversy over ethical concerns

Updated 15 hours ago

Trump launched the $TRUMP meme coin just two days before taking office, raising ethical concerns and investor risks.