Keeping check: Registration of 3,000 ‘defunct NGOs’ cancelled

4,000 NGOs are registered but a majority of them are non-functional, existing only on paper

PESHAWAR:

The PTI-led provincial government cancelled the registration of 3,000 non-governmental organisations (NGO) because they were not functional, said Adviser to the Chief Minister on Social Welfare Meher Taj Roghani on Friday.

Addressing a news conference at Peshawar Press Club, Roghani said some 4,000 NGOs are registered with the social welfare department, but a majority of them were found to be non-functional, existing only on paper. “In the past there has been no set-up for keeping checks and balances on NGOs in the province, however, a strict scrutiny process has been introduced and now registration papers will only be issued after verification,” said the CM’s adviser.



According to Roghani, senior government officials, commissioners and district development advisory committees directed her to regularise NGOs and shut down dysfunctional ones. “We aim to provide funds to welfare organisations after they report to respective commissioners and inform them about their projects,” she said.

In the pipeline

Talking about various welfare projects, Roghani said the K-P government has provided Rs118 million to rehabilitate Darul Aman and Darul Kafala, and to establish new shelters where they are required.

“Around 11% of K-P’s population uses drugs,” said Roghani. “We will collaborate with well-reputed non-profits and government institutes to tackle drug abuse and addiction.”

Anti-narcotics force, law-enforcement agencies and the health department have been directed to take action against those violating provincial social welfare laws.

The adviser stated the government has allocated Rs500 million for widows with few sources of income and differently abled individuals.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2014.