ISLAMABAD: Since taking over the reins of power in 2013, the PML-N government has depended heavily on bilateral and multilateral donors for investments in the social sector and its plan to bring in a strict monitoring regime for spending through international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) has raised eyebrows among them, putting at risk many projects aimed at benefiting vulnerable communities.

Dawn has learnt that in the wake of recent saga of the Save the Children, many donors have warned that in case the government continues with its “anti-INGO” policies, it would be difficult for them to carry out the projects.

Early last month, the government ordered the sealing of offices of the Save the Children and placing many other INGOs on notice for violation of the memorandums of understanding under which they were allowed to operate in the country.

“It was only after an unequivocal message sent by the international donors to the government that it softened its stance towards the INGOs and as a result the Save the Children was allowed to resume its operations,” an official said.

However, with a view to what it calls streamlining the social development sector, the government has transferred future registration of the INGOs to the interior ministry from the economic affairs division. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has also accused unnamed INGOs of engaging in “anti-state activities”.

Answering a question, the official said it was premature to say how the minister, who of late has used harsh words for the INGOs, would go about regulating their affairs. But “it’s certain that the government cannot afford to put off donors in the name of security”.

The minister said recently that he was determined to put in place a comprehensive online system through which the INGOs would be able to register with the government.

The official said that as long as the government continued to receive financial assistance from bilateral and international donors, it could not ignore their concerns. The government wanted more control over the amount of funds spent through the NGOs, though.

According to official documents, both bilateral and multilateral donors are heavily involved in the development of the social sector.

The Department for International Development of the UK will provide the government 340 million pounds during 2014-17 under the Pakistan Stability and Growth Programme.

Under the third poverty alleviation fund, the World Bank has provided a loan of $250m to empower targeted rural poor to improve income and sustainable livelihoods, $224m for tertiary education and $210m for poverty reduction and social safety.

The International Fund for Agriculture Development will provide a loan of $40.2m to improve livelihood and employment opportunities in south Punjab.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency is involved in projects related to sanitation, education, weather forecasting and security sectors.

The USAID is involved in the fields of health, education and infrastructure development.

Other donors such as the Multi-Donor Trust Fund, European Union, Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank are also involved in a number of projects aimed at welfare of the vulnerable sections of society.

At the bilateral level, Germany, France, Kuwait, Norway and Saudi Arabia are involved in developing the social sector in the country.

Published in Dawn ,July 16th, 2015

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