ISLAMABAD, March 24: The government would soon introduce a new mechanism for the scrutiny of civil society organizations, said the advisor to prime minister on women development, social welfare and special education, Ms Nilofer Bakhtiar.

Talking to Dawn, she said under new regulations, the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) having bad reputation would be banned.

To a question, she said, the ministry would soon unveil a set of rules and regulations to be followed by the civil society organizations.

She accepted that over the years, the government failed to regularise NGOs. “It’s time when the strict scrutiny of this sector is required, so that the organizations working for the good cause may be facilitated by the government.”

Ms Nilofer said pro-active collaboration between public and private sectors was need of the hour and could play an effective role in the overall development of social sector.

At present, more than 70,000 NGOs are registered both at national and provincial levels and working apparently for the welfare of the under-privileged.

However, there is a general perception that most of the NGOs are allegedly working for certain agendas and getting massive funding from the international donors.

It may be added that thehe voluntary social welfare agencies ordinance 1961, the societies registration act 1860, the trust act 1882, the charitable endowment act 1890 and the companies ordinance act 1984 is the regime of laws under which an NGO is registered.

The CSOs’ representatives said under the existing laws, it was impossible for social workers to run an NGO, as at every step the government wanted its permission. Therefore, NGO managers prefer to work independently, they said.

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