NGOs will now operate under interior ministry: Nisar

Dawn.com Published June 22, 2015

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali while speaking to the press on Monday said that Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) will now operate under the Interior Ministry instead of the Economic Affairs Division.

The minister said that the high-level inter-ministerial committee, set up under Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi for reviewing laws and regulations regarding accreditation and working conditions of INGOs working in Pakistan, had recommended that NGOs should operate under the interior ministry.

He also stressed that there should be a transparent accountability system with regards to NGOs. "We should know where their money is coming from and what it's being used for."

Nisar said the matter would likely be tackled within the next three to six months.

"A lot of NGOs are doing work that governmental institutions are not equipped or able to do. We welcome these NGOs but we will not allow any NGO to work here if they operate in conflict with our values."

"This is a very important sector for Pakistan. There are over 40 per cent unregistered NGOs. No one will be allowed to conduct illegal activities in Pakistan under the guise of an NGO," he underscored.

Talking about international aid agency "Save the Children", the minister said: "Save the Children is not an enemy of the state; it has been registered since 1997 and is a globally-recognised NGO but during the PPP government's tenure in 2012, some intelligence reports were uncovered in relation to it." However, he said, the previous government had not taken any action.

Nisar said that visas would not be issued for staffers of unapproved NGOs. "Only routine visas will be issued for those NGOs which are approved, and are operating under their designated mandate."

In a similar context, he said, no visas had been issued for foreign representatives of Save the Children, nor was the government intending to do so until the new policy was implemented.

Nisar said that "Save the Children" had applied for approval in 2014 but their plea was still under process.

The minister said NGOs would be consulted with regards to the new policy, adding that all NGOs would be encouraged to adopt self regulatory systems.

On June 12, authorities had ordered closure of 'Save the Children' in Pakistan on grounds that the international aid group was “working against the country”.

Take a look: 'Save the Children' ordered to leave Pakistan: officials

But the orders were later suspended by the ministry of interior in a matter of days.

Read: Interior Ministry suspends order to close 'Save the Children'

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Jabeen

Jun 22, 2015 02:49pm

Great ch Nisar. Now make madressehs transparent also, or are you chicken?

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Blue Saffron

Jun 22, 2015 02:51pm

Understood. Same with seminaries. But enough is enough. Talk is over. Let us do it.

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Omar

Jun 22, 2015 03:00pm

Three to Six months?!! Are they trying to formulate a new registration mechanism or building power plants?

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SAB

Jun 22, 2015 03:01pm

NGOs insist on everybody else's accountability but raise righteous alarm when you inquire about them and their funding. Ask all NGOs' heads to share their monthly incomes - the pays they take from projects - and their wealth in banks and their houses in Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi and the land they own.

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responsible

Jun 22, 2015 03:05pm

Still sleeping.

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Naveed Iqbal

Jun 22, 2015 04:42pm

it is a good decision made by Interior Minister. keeping check and balance on every NGOs is vital in order to prevention of illegal activities.

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tarik

Jun 22, 2015 06:51pm

You are FOS Nisar.

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citizen

Jun 22, 2015 07:36pm

Nisar saved the country from NGO's..He is too clever to understand the mischief of NGOs..Country need more visionaries like him..

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Abdulla Hussain

Jun 22, 2015 08:02pm

This is a good decision that will help curtail camouflaged activities of some of the NGOs. No one should be allowed to to become a threat for the country.

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Namrah

Jun 22, 2015 08:33pm

Love how he blamed the 'Save the Children' blunder on the previous government without taking any responsibility for his own statements!

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Junaid

Jun 23, 2015 01:55am

Good work, now monitor these NGO's under microscope and if they are found in any Anti-State campaigns or terrorism; then send them to military courts weather they are foreigners or locals.

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Junaid

Jun 23, 2015 01:58am

Time for NGO's to be held accountable too; as they poke their nose and want state decisions to be held accountable for running our country in the right direction. Good work, now monitor these NGO's under microscope and if they are found in any Anti-State campaigns or terrorism; then send them to military courts weather they are foreigners or locals.

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Junaid

Jun 23, 2015 02:00am

@Namrah Time for NGO's to be held accountable too; as they poke their nose and want state decisions to be held accountable for running our country in the right direction. Good work, now monitor these NGO's under microscope and if they are found in any Anti-State campaigns or terrorism; then send them to military courts weather they are foreigners or locals.

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Mustafa

Jun 23, 2015 03:32am

Nisar said, "we should know where their money is coming from and what it's being used for." What? Pakistan doesn't even know the funding sources of INGOs and that what they are funding. Wow, I don't think that there is any other country in the world that is this much negligent given the fact that terrorism has unearthed havoc on us. Ch. Nisar, it's good that you have taken notice of this otherwise Pakistan would have kept sleeping over this issue.

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Azam a Siddiqui

Jun 23, 2015 03:43am

NGOS provide expensive services at a very reduce ratesThey however can be mended.The ministry of interior should get prepared some booklets to give model to NGOS e.g. 1- O ne booklet should show the bye-laws and the constitution for non government organization.2-One booklet could be on fund raising.3- Another can be written on AUDITING etc. etc.To recover the cost these booklets could be sold at reduced prices.There should also be a booklet on the art of hospitality.First we educate and then we audit.Pakistani waqfs and Zakat funds administration also need financial supervision.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jun 23, 2015 04:02am

Too little, too late. Irreparable damage is already done.

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Patriot

Jun 23, 2015 05:12am

I predicted this 8 years ago that these so called NGOs are spying and they are playing major rule in destabilising our homeland. I pray that you may remain sincere to your duties Mr Minister:)

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