25 December 2004	Saturday	12 Ziqa'ad 1425

ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: The government is strengthening the National Trust for Population Welfare (Natpow) to enable it to provide financial and technical support to civil society organizations working for population welfare.

This was stated by Population Welfare Minister Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain during his visit to the organization on Friday. Natpow was set up under the population welfare ministry to collaborate with NGOs working in the population sector.

He said the government was well aware of the problem of rapid population growth and its effects on the country's development, hence, it was giving special attention to Natpow's revival.

He said the role of NGOs in the population welfare sector could not be ignored which was why the government was paying special attention to bring them into the mainstream.

However, over the last few years Natpow had lost its credibility with international donor agencies because of the ministry's inattention to the organization. At present, as many as 600 NGOs working in the population welfare sector are attached with Natpow.

Mr Hussain said in the coming years, the ministry wanted to enhance ties between the NGOs and the government for a better and prosperous Pakistan. He stressed that his ministry was trying its level best to establish a close and cordial link with donor agencies because their help was vital for achieving goals and objectives of Natpow.

But before seeking their help "we must prove that the organization is an effective and viable organization", he added. Population Secretary Shehzada Sheikh, who was also present on the occasion, said the ministry wanted to devise a strategy to make the role of NGOs more effective.

He stressed the need for making Natpow a strong and active organization with result-oriented approach. Natpow director Malik Nadeem Hassan threw light on the working and activities of the organization and its attached NGOs.