Dismisses allegations of local NGOs’ involvement in anti-state activities. PHOTO: File
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.
Are Babus of Interior ministry more honest and patriot than other Pakistanis? Isn’t it all about money? The greedy establishment cannot tolerate foreign funds going in civilian hands. Establishment has sold us cheaply to foreign powers many times more than these agents of same powers.Recommend
Same old recipe which they used in former East Pakistan, all foreign help and assistance must be channelled though the central Government. This prompted the foreign agencies and the foreign Governments encouraging the Provincial authorities to seek independence.
Rex MinorRecommend
Clearly, Jamaat ud Dawa, Jamia Hafsa, and others of the likes are working in accordance with the National Security. Hence, there has been absolutely no operation against their activities as also highlighted by the recent US report. Recommend
Clearly the foreign sponsored INGOs are real problem in Pakistan, and not the foreign sponsored Madrassas, against whom this same minister is impotent.Recommend
Putting Nisar in charge of NGO’s is madness … he’s already proven he’s a loose canon who is ready to ban without cause/justification.Recommend
Nisar has no credibility – last man in Pakistan who should be in charge of INGO’s.Recommend
And, who will decide who is working against the national interest of Pakistan??? Most people believe that Nisar, belonging to PMLN, is working against the national interest by perpetuating and nurturing the rule of corrupt politicians. Every comment above reflects the same sentiment. You may ban NGOs providing necessary services like the polio eradication or promotion of education but you cannot seal the minds and thoughts of the people. Recommend
Excellent initiative! I am beginning to like the bold steps been taken at last to save this Nation;my hats off to the person/hands behind such good initiatives;God bless Pakistan. Recommend