NGOs to operate under interior ministry: Nisar

Interior minister says NGOs working against the national interest will be banned immediately

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar announced on Monday non-governmental organisations will now operate under the Interior Ministry.

"NGOs will now operate under the interior ministry instead of the Economic Affairs Division as per the orders of the prime minister," the interior minister said, while addressing the media in Islamabad.

Read: Save the Children allowed to resume operations in Pakistan

Claiming that the government is drafting a new policy regarding the functioning of NGOs , Nisar said, "NGOs working against the national interest will be banned immediately."

"We will not issue new visas for INGOs except the ones that are formally approved," he added.

The interior ministry upheld there should be a transparent accountability system for NGOs in the country. "There is not one law for NGOs to register or get approval before they start operating in the country."

"There is no data bank for these NGOs, no system of audit or accountability right now," he added.

Further, the interior minister claimed, "At this time in Pakistan thousands of NGOs are working of which 38% to 40% are unregistered."

Read: Only Islamabad office of Save the Children to remain closed, says Nisar

"There is no proper system regarding NGOs in the country right now."

Regarding the international non government organisation Save the Children, Nisar said, "I did not order the re-opening of the INGO's Islamabad offices."

Earlier this month, authorities sealed the offices of Save the Children. The INGO has previously been accused of involvement with the Central Intelligence Agency and Dr Shakeel Afridi in tracking down the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad.

Read: ‘Uncharitable’ affairs: Save the Children office sealed in Islamabad

Soon after it was reported that the interior ministry suspending its first order let the international NGO to continue its work in the country.