Expulsion of 18 international aid agencies will hurt 11m recipients

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's expulsion of 18 international aid agencies will hurt 11 million aid recipients in the country grappling with perilously low standards of education and healthcare, two Western diplomats said on Tuesday.

Affected NGOs include World Vision, Pathfinder, Plan
International, Trocaire and Saferworld. Another group,
ActionAid, last week said it was closing offices and laying off
staff after the government told it to halt operations and leave. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the
United States 'regrets' Pakistan's decision and noted that many
of the 18 groups had worked in the country for years, employing
thousands of Pakistanis and working to improve the lives of
ordinary people.



Pakistan's interior ministry confirmed it had rejected
appeals of 18 NGOs that had been allowed to continue operations
while appeals were being reviewed. It declined to give further
details. Aid groups and western diplomats blasted a lack of
transparency in the process of expulsion and review of appeals.

"It is as appalling as it is inexplicable that the government has decided to deprive 11 million of its own people of much-needed support with no apparent reason," a Western diplomat told Reuters, asking not to be identified.

The interior ministry did not immediately respond to the diplomats' comments. Instead, it referred Reuters to a November 15 statement in which the Foreign Office said policies regarding international aid groups were "fully aligned" with nationally determined development priorities and needs, and that Islamabad appreciated the assistance provided by donor agencies.



"Representatives of all 18 INGOs were given the right to appeal and the opportunity to provide additional details and discuss mutual concerns," it added. "As for shrinking space, the evidence is contrary to assertions. Out of 141 that applied for registration since
October 2015, applications of 74 INGOs have been approved."

A total of 27 international NGOs received expulsion orders late last year, but 18 appealed. Most of the affected groups worked on human rights and advocacy issues.

"The international community is disappointed by the recent forced closures of a number of international NGOs," another Western diplomat told Reuters. "We have consistently expressed our concern to the government and continue to urge a clear and transparent process to ensure INGOs can operate effectively in Pakistan or
understand the reasons for their eviction."