Crackdown on INGOs

Expulsion of INGOs without explanation will damage country’s reputation

National interest is being cited as the reason why INGOs have been the centre of scrutiny of late. Following an October 2017 order to cancel the registration of many INGOs operating in Pakistan, concerns by other organisational leaders were raised.

The meeting of envoys from Western countries, members from the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs and Economic Affairs Division and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua this week seems to have been a successful one with realigning focus on Pakistan’s needs and conveying to organisations that neither we, nor our people, are to be exploited.

Considering that both sides ended on a similar note of agreeing to maintain dialogue and communication, continuous relationships can be sought.

Pakistan has seen many benefits of allowing INGOs to work in various areas of development, such as health, education, and technology. Examples include education and technology initiatives, research projects, and clinics to treat patients. Thus, an expulsion of INGOs without explanation would damage the country’s reputation in the way of harsh government intervention in areas where unnecessary. The meeting rescued this image from being portrayed and we welcome the Foreign Secretary conveyed to organisations that Pakistan has every right to defend its interests and that organisations can exercise their rights to appeal unfavourable decisions.

Previous governments cared little about who set up camp in the country whether to feed into a foreign country’s saviour complex, collect other data, or genuinely enter to work for Pakistan’s benefit. It is unacceptable that entities working against national interest were ever welcomed. This government seems to have taken a plausible step by coming down firmly to guard its policies. We may ask what our national interests are and who refines them. This area remains slightly vague, noting that we vastly need help for development. It is imprudent to become overly strict.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2019.

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