‘Let NGOs manage themselves’

According to international donors, NGOs should be allowed to manage their resources independently.

ISLAMABAD: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should be allowed to manage their resources independently, according to international donors and development partners. They informed the federal government that the Paris Declaration Principles deems that NGOs be provided autonomy in decisions pertaining to allocation of their resources.

The government has now started developing a policy in light of these principles, according to a handout. Such a policy will be necessary to ensure the continuation of aid flows to NGOs and development organisations.

According to the current code of conduct, NGOs are obligated to ensure transparency and accountability in their operations. To that end, NGOs have to provide details of their financial operations and reserves to the federal government. NGOs are also obligated to create an account at the National Bank of Pakistan and all donations from development organisations are funnelled through this account. These measures have been taken by the government to enhance transparency in the use of development funds, said the same handout.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2010.