No progress yet on taming INGOs: sources

Interior minister was hawkish on taking action against global bodies

ISLAMABAD: Despite tall claims by the authorities concerned, no progress has been so far made on the formulation of new registration policy for the international non-government organisations (INGOs) to ensure that they do not work against the interests of the country.

The federal government, after receiving information that some of INGOs are engaged in anti-Pakistan activities, launched a campaign not only to monitor their anti-state activities but also to restrict them to work according to their agreed charters.

“So far no work has been initiated on the formulation of new policy for the INGOs and the legislation regarding registration and other matters is still on hold,” an official said on the condition of anonymity.

Read: International NGOs to continue functioning in Pakistan for six months: PM

Sources maintained that so far the only action taken in this regards remains shifting of the affairs of INGOs from Economic Affairs Division (EAD) to interior ministry which now approves funding of these bodies received from international donors.

Initially, the sources said, the Interior ministry was ambitious for speedy legislation after receiving irrefutable information of involvement of various countries providing funds to some INGOs which were involved in the anti-Pakistan activities besides promoting anti-Pakistan sentiments amongst the people and organisations in various parts of the country in the name of welfare activities.

Interior Minister Chaudary Nisar has announced on a number of occasions that registration and agreed MoUs of INGOs will be thoroughly scrutinised and if required, in some cases re-registration will be proposed. “Despite categorical statements and directions of the interior minister no work has been initiated in this regard,” an official privy to these developments said.

Read: Govt bars INGOs in volatile areas

It is pertinent to mention here that almost two months ago the ministry of interior after receiving reports from the security and intelligence agencies regarding anti-state activities of some of the INGOs, decided that new legislation will be introduced to ensure that they work according to MoUs and are not involved in the activities against Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2015.