From free to firm hand: INGOs get 60 days to apply for fresh registration

First-ever policy to regulate international groups announced

ISLAMABAD:

For the first time in the country’s history, the government has announced a policy to regulate international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) to ensure they abide by their mandate and follow the laws of the land.

Policy, memorandum of understanding (MoU) and registration are the three parts of the framework for INGOs as announced by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan at a news conference on Thursday.

Nisar said that though the policy is comprehensive, it could be amended on receiving input from stakeholders.

The policy will have sole jurisdiction over all types of INGOs that may be unregistered in their home countries as INGOs but are still part of the non-profit sector and undertake activities similar to these organisations receiving foreign contributions to engage in various development projects in Pakistan.

The minister said that formulating a policy was very important as it was a “sensitive sector” both inside and outside the country, as several countries (our friends) provide financial support through these INGOs, but the lack of policy had given these organisations a free hand, despite the precarious security situation of the country. He pointed out that several big and small INGOs have been operating across the country, including in high-security areas, for more than a decade without registration or approval.

It was in this backdrop that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif entrusted the subject – earlier under the purview of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) – to the interior ministry and tasked it to come up with a policy within six months. “The interior ministry completed the task in three and a half months.”

Nisar said that on the basis of intelligence reports, his ministry had sealed the offices of some major INGOs and issued warnings to others. “You’d be surprised to know that they were operating without security clearance – some even in Balochistan.”

He clarified that the policy was not dictatorial. “We shall facilitate them, but there shouldn’t be any strings attached.” He rejected the impression that the government was coming hard on INGOs. “No country would compromise on its vital national interests.” He also announced that the government has given all the INGOs 60 days to apply for fresh registration.



Registration and funding

According to the policy, INGOs receiving foreign assistance will require prior registration exclusively with the interior ministry. All INGOs working in Pakistan will be required to apply for fresh registration on the newly-introduced electronic registration form within 60 days from the date of the policy’s announcement.

The existing INGOs will be allowed to continue their operations for six months or until a final decision is made on their application for fresh registration.

INGOs shall not raise funds and/or receive donations locally, unless specifically authorised. They shall declare to the government all foreign funds, along with the terms and conditions and details of all bank accounts they maintain.

All INGOs will be registered for specific field(s) of work and specified location(s) or areas of operation, after consultation with the relevant federal and provincial authorities and in line with their needs and Pakistan’s national priorities.

Functioning and monitoring

INGOs would have to sign an MoU with the government for a period of three years. They shall submit an annual plan of action detailing all envisaged projects and their budgetary allocations to the EAD and interior ministry at the time of registration and on an annual basis.

Security clearance shall be obtained by Pakistani missions abroad before issuing visa to foreign nationals intending to work for INGOs, and maximum duration of visa would be one year.

Business and visit visas shall not be issued to INGO staffers, and no request of change of status of visa shall be entertained.

There will be regular and effective monitoring of INGOs’ activities throughout Pakistan. INGOs shall not maintain links with proscribed organisations or engage in money laundering, terror financing, weapon smuggling or other anti-state activities.

INGOs shall not participate or assist in any kind of political activities, or conduct research or survey unrelated to their terms of reference.

Transparency and disclosure

INGOs shall be obliged to provide all information that the government may require from time to time. There shall be proper regulation and monitoring of INGOs’ sources of funding, their accounts and tax returns. They shall be required to make all payments over Rs20,000 in Pakistan through banking channels.

Review of registration

The right to appeal will be applicable only in cases of cancellation of registration. In case of a grievance against the order of the INGO committee, the INGO concerned may file a representation within 90 days before a special ministerial committee to be constituted and notified by the government.

If the government may deem it in public interest – such as in situations of national disaster and other calamities – it may exempt an INGO from any or all of the provisions of the policy for a period not exceeding six months.

Pak-Afghan relations

Regarding Pakistan-Afghanistan ties, Nisar said Pakistan wants stable and brotherly relations with Afghanistan.

Referring to three million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan for four decades, he said: “We have shared the burden, but even then Pakistan is blamed for whatever happens [in Afghanistan]. We are neither guardians of Afghanistan nor are we answerable to their government. They should share their concerns with us and we would make all-out efforts to address them.”

No parade ground at D-Chowk

The interior minister announced that the government has come up with a plan to install new infrastructure at D-Chowk on Constitution Avenue that has served as a parade ground in the past.

He said a decision has been made and the approval of PM Nawaz would be sought on his return from the United States.

Responding to a question about denying the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) permission to hold a rally at D-Chowk, Nisar said: “The government will not allow any ‘Tamasha’ in the Red Zone.”

However, he praised the PTI for showing “maturity” by moving its protest rally to Lahore. “It’s not a matter of ego. If the government were to allow the PTI to hold the rally, then it would have to allow other parties as well.”

Accountability drive

The minister said the paramilitary Rangers come under the administrative control of the interior ministry, and no civil armed forces have the mandate for conducting any kind of accountability. “It is neither the duty of the Rangers nor can we allow it to conduct accountability.”

During the press conference, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar made a dramatic entry to announce that Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have crossed $20 billion – a new record for the country.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2015.