Pakistan

Working without clearance: Fate of over 20 NGOs to be decided on Monday

The panel will also comprise of representatives from ISI

Naveed Miraj May 31, 2015

Interior Minister Chauhdry Nisar. PHOTO: ONLINE

ISLAMABAD:

A high-powered committee will decide on Monday the fate of more than 20 international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which have not been cleared to work in Pakistan by the country’s security agencies.

The panel – which will be headed by PM’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and comprise representatives of the Intelligence Bureau, ISI, the interior ministry, the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and the Foreign Office – will evaluate security agencies’ reports on the credibility and activities of the NGOs in question.

The NGOs whose fate is set to be discussed in Monday’s meeting include the International Republic Institute, National Democratic Institute, Save The Children International, Save The Children USA, Partner Aid International, Catholic Relief Services, Oxfam GB, International Alert, Norwegian Refugee Council, Creative Associates, Danish Refugee Council, International Foundation of Electoral Systems, Johanniter International Assistance, Inter News, Central Asian Institute, Mercy Corps and World Vision.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2015.

COMMENTS (12)

Khimchand Sanjo | 9 years ago | Reply Enquiry should be made against such INGO/NGO's on fair trial basis and then decision should be made accordingly, no doubt NGO or any institutions engaged in anti state actions should be punished...but here it seems huge number of NGO's are caught in doing anti state actions and that should not be as briefed in media, I think judicial committee may be given responsibility to figure out the situation and there should not be shut down of all the NGOs' mentioned above at once. Because huge number of Pakistani fellows are doing jobs in these NGO'S, they all will be unemployed & government may not have any alternate to engage them. Government should introduce alternate and then there is no huury in Getting colse of these shops. This action should be taken against all not specified or pointed one & then it may be appreciated by masses.

Muhammad Shoaib | 9 years ago | Reply @siraj: Well you have praised your INGO but my question to you is you, "are you using GPS and Thuraya or other satellite phones? If you are using these, then have you been granted official licence or are your satellite SIMs registered with PTA?'' If you are using these without licence or registration; then there is where your activities are dubious and suspicious.No country within its territory will allow the use of GPS, Satellite phone or GIS mapping of its land and Pakistan has clear laws about these equipment which are used for gathering intelligence inside a country.

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Hassan | 9 years ago | Reply Interestingly there is no mention of Islamic NGOs being financed by international donors for promoting extremist mindset under the guile of Islam.

Rudad | 9 years ago | Reply People's incomes are associated with these NGOS. Does the government has an alternative plan to accommodate these employees. It is better to monitor them, develop standard to follow (which I dont think Pakistan will even be able to), instead of banning them

User | 9 years ago | Reply Just Speculation theories and nothing else..Establishment want all aid in their pockets to serve their relative as they r doing in Government jobs and projects. Yes a law to monitor all is a good idea.

Parvez Mahmood | 9 years ago | Reply Daer Sir, Dont paint all International NGO with the same brush, I feel they are the only one who are working and helping out the down trodden and deserving masses in Pakistan. may it be some epedemic, flood, drought, earthquake or other national emergency. INGOs are not only working in Pakistan they are working all over the world hence they have credibility. See how many thousands of people were employed by them after the earthquake of 2015, I saw them digging out and burying the dead during the 2015 earthquake--where was the government and their agencies then? now they are being terming as teh one working against the interest of the country. I will request the government to use their sense in providing all eligible INGOs the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) of couse they must scrutinize each and every INGO on merit and also give a chance to the NGOs to clearify their position in person if there is any nagative feedback against them. I hope the sense prevails

siraj | 9 years ago | Reply I am also part of one INGO but not from this list. my thought is that if there is any proof against them just banned and make some clear cut policy for all I/NGOs. while during my all 10 years experience they are serving well for neglected communities and need based and other hand they are supporting to govt for creating job opportunities if you will calculate their staff it will unbelievable and govt is fail to creating the jos. if they have some hidden agenda they should be banned.

Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply Im an employee of one of the organizations. The kind of work they are doing is much needed.. Its just the mindset of people that ngos are corrupt and they have hidden agendas.. What they dont realise is our country need their support real bad... Without them your schools would be ghost school in parts of countries.. Al lot of students would be able to afford education. Peace is another area these organisations is working for.. Its the need of time to change mind sets of people and change their extremists thought.. Banning would be a big loss.

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply Only ban them if there is any proof against them. Don't ban them if establishment doesn't like them.

Hassan | 9 years ago | Reply I have had a chance to work with a few of these indirectly. I have to admit, their nature of work has always been dubious for me. The most suspicious work that I had the chance to see closely was by the USAID and how they actually outsource their projects to other NGOs which are actually run by their people on their agenda, but on papers it is shown that a local pakistani NGO is working for them.

Skhan | 9 years ago | Reply Yes please! Finally ban all the shady ones, their motive at times not clear and seems quite against the national interest. Thanks

Baloch | 9 years ago | Reply Ban and expel them.

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