Pakistan will not allow NGOs working against national interest: Nisar
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ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday said that no Non-Government Organisation (NGO) working against the country's national interest will be allowed to continue its work in Pakistan.
He said that some NGOs were performing out of their respective domains and they should be probed. "We formulated a plan last year to regulate the functioning of NGOs in the country."
Read: 'Save the Children' ordered to leave Pakistan: officials
The statement comes a day after authorities ordered the international aid group Save the Children to leave Pakistan saying the charity was “working against the country”.
The interior minister added that they had been receiving intelligence reports for many years but no action was being taken. NGOs, whose numbers run into hundreds, have been operating without any code of conduct, law and agenda, he said.
"We don’t want to put ban on any NGO but we want to compel them to work under their charter,” Khan said.
The interior minister also appealed to all international NGOs and governments to respect the laws of Pakistan.
He said that the government will not bear any kind of foreign pressure regarding the working criteria of the NGOs.
Nisar said two NGOs registered in Zambia and Guinea respectively which were operating in Pakistan without any permit and reporting stories from Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan which were based on lies.
He said when the matter was contested in the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), all but three of the 15 member countries had supported Pakistan’s stance. The interior minister named the United States, Israel and India as countries supporting the illegal activities of NGOs in Pakistan.
“I will highlight the issues of illegal NGOs in the parliament as the government cannot compromise on national interest,” he added.
The interior minister said that the government will welcome NGOs working according to plan by following the law of the land while the government will also facilitate the NGOs working according to their charter.
Khan also said that the implementation on capital punishment is in accordance with the law while criticism against judiciary will not be tolerated in this regard.
Addressing journalists in the federal capital city the interior minister said that many NGOs are doing a good job and all of them cannot be clubbed in the same category.
"We will support those NGOs who are doing a good job. But we cannot allow anti-state NGOs to operate under the umbrella of the good-performing NGOs."
It is pertinent to mention that earlier in September 2012 the foreign staff of the Save the Children had been ordered to leave the country in the wake of accusations linking the aid agency to a fake vaccination programme used in the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
The move had come after an intelligence report linked the aid agency to Pakistani doctor Shakeel Afridi who the CIA allegedly used to carry out a fake vaccination programme as they searched for the Al Qaeda chief who was later killed in a May 2011 raid in Abbottabad.
Read: Pakistan evicts Save the Children foreign staff
— An earlier version of the story had wrongly mentioned the month of the OBL raid in Abbottabad as April 2011. The error is regretted.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (78) Closed
Jun 12, 2015 01:59pm
First time from Pakistan Govt someone spoke like man.......... NGO's specially in pakistan are working against Pakistan ....... this is truth accept or not..............
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Jun 12, 2015 02:19pm
I like the way Ch. Nisar is running ministry of interior. Bold but sensible. No doubt he has distance to go yet but at least he is moving in right direction. I wish other ministers were as dynamic too...
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Jun 12, 2015 02:26pm
@sense Agreed , NGOs need to be under constant surveillance. They are perfect covers for foreign spy agencies.
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Jun 12, 2015 02:33pm
Good big bro..... be tough on them
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Jun 12, 2015 02:36pm
I agree, NGO should follow land rules. Recently India also banned more than thousands of NGO.
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Jun 12, 2015 02:37pm
Why previous interior ministry did not act against them?
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Jun 12, 2015 02:52pm
NGOs must be asked to report on annual basis as to how much improvement on ground has been brought due to their efforts. There are so many NGOs working for eradication of poverty working in our country and yet poverty has never decreased even a little bit. So what these NGOs are doing. Something else????
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Jun 12, 2015 02:55pm
He is right by saying that some NGOs are working against Pakistan. I totally agree with him. At least this is good sign that Govt is taking serious action against anti Pakistan NGOs
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Jun 12, 2015 03:03pm
Another good initiative of the govt. Send NGOs home in case they don't abide by the Law of the Land.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:03pm
Probably the most of NGOs are working against the national interests of Pakistan. The code of conduct should be formulated. If any NGO is found violated against the laws of state should be banned.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:04pm
Exactly what are these NGOs doing that is against our"national interests"
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Jun 12, 2015 03:06pm
@KeyPoints because at that time India did not take any action against any NGO in India. Who, he would have followed then.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:16pm
Indeed most NGOs are working against Pakistan, its society and norms. They get funds from abroad to work against Pakistan, its culture and ethics. Even the local heads of these NGOs do not represent the majority of Pakistan, except around 2% of "ultra modern" ladies and men
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Jun 12, 2015 03:17pm
I agreed with him on this...but how about the politicians working against the interest of Pakistan. I mean, all politicians and their awkward policies including ruling PML-N and opposition parties like PTI (in 126 Dharna context), leading Pakistan in reverse direction. What you say on this Mr. Nisar?
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Jun 12, 2015 03:29pm
pls control Madarssas that will help more.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:31pm
ABOUT TIME!! The "trioka" he mentioned is the root of all what is wrong with Pakistan. Pakistan needs to realize and wake up to the challenge posed by this gang of three as they have already done a lot of damage since 9/11.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:33pm
I like Nisar even PTI wanted him so badly in their squad
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Jun 12, 2015 03:37pm
Good riddance. Throw such NGOs out of Pakistan.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:39pm
In spite of not being a fan of PML N, my ample gratitude to Sir for being bravo. At least there is someone to raise his voice against these so called NGOs indulged in destabilizing Pakistan. Must be dealt with iron-hands.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:43pm
very responsible. otherwise it looked like anyone can come and do whatever he/she want to do here. this is the result of such criminal negligence on previous government's part that we are facing this terrorism. Pakistan was the easiest target.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:46pm
Pakistan comes first...very good no bargains on national interest...Long live pakistan
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Jun 12, 2015 03:48pm
Well done Nisar. Take these NGOs and their aunties to task now. Merely packing their stuff is not enough. Take the to task.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:48pm
He is a true leader of Pakistan.
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Jun 12, 2015 03:49pm
Excellent effort
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Jun 12, 2015 03:51pm
it is not enough to say NGOs working against pakistan , it must also be explained how NGOs are doing that
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Jun 12, 2015 03:51pm
India must be doing something right! These people have managed to name India here as well…
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Jun 12, 2015 03:53pm
Just saying "anti-state NGOs" is not good enough. We have right to know what they did?
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Jun 12, 2015 04:01pm
Shut NGOs but never take any action against radical, hate preaching, child molester mullahs and mudrassa/organisations.
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Jun 12, 2015 04:13pm
India is also weeding these fake NGOs out of its territories..
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Jun 12, 2015 04:21pm
Although too much delayed, right step at the right direction taken by the Civilian Govt. but of course 'Army's Stick' can be seen behind this action...!!
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Jun 12, 2015 04:21pm
with due respect who is to be blamed for sitting on the intelligence reports for such a long time
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Jun 12, 2015 04:27pm
Well done! Though I am not a PML(N) supporter but the steps taken by the Government to eradicated terrorism are commendable so far. We should keep a strong check on such organizations. All the funding that is coming in Pakistan should be channelized and monitored!
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Jun 12, 2015 04:30pm
Most of the NGO's are front for the foreign intelligence agencies.
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Jun 12, 2015 04:34pm
Well done!
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Jun 12, 2015 04:37pm
Local NGOs are also required to be monitored for their activities regularly. We appreciate Government and Intelligence Agencies..
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Jun 12, 2015 04:41pm
Very good decision, we are waiting for ban on anti pakistan media group too.
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Jun 12, 2015 04:42pm
The Interior Minister deserves credit for bold step however the government should have taken this step much earlier. The government has capacity to address the needs and fill the gaps. The government shall also critically look at the funding for the Madrassa.
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Jun 12, 2015 04:43pm
for those who are suspicious of NGO's can I ask what evidence you have that NGO's have been working contrary to the interests of Pakistan?
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Jun 12, 2015 04:48pm
Good move. Not only NGOs, all foriegn founded organisations, including political and religious ones, must be controlled, if not outrightly banned.
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Jun 12, 2015 04:49pm
I have an auditor of these so called NGOs. I have seen their operations closely and I reached a conclusion why these NGOs are operation in Pakistan when we dont need them.
Why other countries are spending their monies in Pakistan to help the people of Pakistan or spy them.
Not all the NGOs are spying but some NGOs are operating in good faith like Bill Gates Foundation
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Jun 12, 2015 06:00pm
Finally Pakistan decided to take action against those NGO. Most of these NGOs operate with bad faith and should be allowed to operate.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:02pm
There are some NGOs that work not for the country's cause but for fulfilling some other country's agenda. Better to quash such NGOs.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:11pm
We r with the government on this one
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Jun 12, 2015 06:29pm
Ban all foreign NGO's, we don't want them here.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:30pm
i would love to see him ruining ministry of defense , this guy always have courage to speak up. Even i am a supporter of IK but still i praise him for all his work.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:30pm
Under Geneva Convention, every country has the right to hang foreign spies.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:32pm
Did they expose anything ?
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Jun 12, 2015 06:34pm
We should send our NGO's to United States, Israel and India.
US has never been Pakistan's friend, always damaged us.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:42pm
It is all lip service.No action will come as we are incompetent to prove anything.Most NGO 's are doing good service for the country but if any one spying they must be dealt according to the law but no "breaking news" as to come on media for mere proving your attendance.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:50pm
Strange ! It has taken so long for GOP to understand real motives of most foreign charities and NGOs working in Pakistan. Politicians and government functionaries selling national interests for small favours must also be exposed and punished.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:53pm
Finally it seems things are getting worked in our neighbourhood. India pakistan both have been banning NGOs from time to time in recent memory.
It is always advisable to keep the NGOs in check, especially the ones which get funds from foreign countries. Great job Govt of Pakistan.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:54pm
100% agreed with honorable Minister Ch. Nisar and thank you Sir.
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Jun 12, 2015 06:59pm
we all know they are on the payroll of other countries intelligence agencies. No matter what type of noble name they have given to their organization they should be dealt with iron hand.
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Jun 12, 2015 07:02pm
@aftab Ch. Nisar said "some NGOs are working against Pakistan". I don't agreed with his use of "some" in the sentence. They all are working against our country.
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Jun 12, 2015 07:09pm
Please remind me when was the last time an NGO's member committed suicide bombing.
In Pakistan fanatical Islamist organizations are allowed to work freely... however Save The Children is a subversive organization.... Now there is your answer why this country is so messed up
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Jun 12, 2015 07:36pm
India is already banned 40 thousand NGO's under current govt. Pakistan should follow the same in countries favour.
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Jun 12, 2015 07:42pm
Wow! Someone is finally being proactive and ridding Pakistan of undesirable elements
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Jun 12, 2015 08:06pm
Agreed. Why did it get to this point?
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Jun 12, 2015 08:15pm
Closing down a business and putting thousands out of work without a shred of evidence or a court hearing says something about Nissar and Pakistan. The fact that it's a charitable organization which helps tens of thousands of Pakistani children only makes the matter worse. What's wrong with this picture and why aren't Pakistanis questioning this?
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Jun 12, 2015 09:10pm
@Obaid It is purely the discretion of the government to allow any foreign NGO to work in Pakistan or not and it does not owe any explanation to anyone.
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Jun 12, 2015 09:58pm
@unbelievable You are one of the few commentators, here, who is rationally and logically questioning the Govt.s decision to close down Save the Children's activities (with impact on not only those employed locally but thousands of poor and children beneficiaries in Pakistan), without disclosure of any firm or conclusive evidence) which is one of oldest and the largest INGO and charitable org. in the world (perhaps, with the exception of the newly-formed The Gates Foundation).
It seems that the conspiracy-theorists in the Government are at it again, and why not, for their own corrupt financial-gains, hegemony of power-struggle, and regional political-games!
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Jun 12, 2015 09:58pm
again opening
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Jun 12, 2015 10:50pm
Very good decision. Save The Children has been rightly condemned and sent packing.
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Jun 12, 2015 10:58pm
These NGOs like US AID are busy in various covert and criminal acts, creating chaos in various states under their apparent development and aid slogan. Unfortunately majority of their victim states from Asia to Africa and eastern Europe etc do not have strong government networks and multiple systematic checks to find out their covert spy and criminal activities hence they are able to destabilize various Govts and create anti state emotions through fabricated protests and able to attract and recruit terrorists by channeling huge funds to them.
Their offices should be rolled back right from the very beginning if any country and Govt truly wants their survival.
Development & improvement always begins with in the state and it is the duty of the residents of that state to help in growth and development of their nation rather looking towards foreign NGOs to serve them.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/al-qaeda-linked-syria-group-enjoying-usaid-youve-got-to-see-this-to-believe-it/5351507
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Jun 12, 2015 11:00pm
Why would those NGOs serve them with out any personal interest? One should think before trusting them. Please ask US AID as well to leave Pakistan and some seminaries and religious groups as well.
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Jun 12, 2015 11:02pm
Absolutely! Law and order is the only way to go. Look at all the well developed countries and you will see that law and order prevails.
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Jun 13, 2015 12:08am
Zardari and PPP never showed any interest in this regard and let the country suffer. Security conditions in Karachi is the evidence, Everyone in Pakistan knew about it since day one but action is being taken now. Who else could have appointed someone like Hussain Haqqani their Ambassador to USA
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Jun 13, 2015 12:49am
good. kick all these enemy importer NGOs out of Pakistan.
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Jun 13, 2015 01:25am
@Obaid;
'Exactly what are these NGOs doing that is against our national interests'
The list is a long one, read Allama's poem Nafsiat-e-Ghulami.
Karte hain ghulamon ko ghulami pe razamand
Taveel-e-Masael ko banate hain bahana
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Jun 13, 2015 01:37am
@Akram;
'what evidence you have that NGO's have been working contrary to the interests of Pakistan?'
With a fanatic like Modi at the helm, the NGOs are perpetrating frauds like Aman ki asha, it is really Brahman ki Asha. In most of the civilized world foreign funding alone is enough to establish an organization as foreign agent, not necessarily a crime but they have to declare themselves as such. In 2013 a Kashmiri American citizen in USA was jailed just because he did not declare himself to be a foreign agent even though the US government did not charge him for any other crime.
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Jun 13, 2015 01:41am
@Harmony-1;
'We have right to know what they did?'
How about their demand to change our school curriculum? Can I go to UK and demand that I would decide their school curriculum??
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Jun 13, 2015 03:08am
The disputed NGOs mostly come from countries with an Anglo-Saxon system of jurisprudence which has never been fully incorporated in Southern Asia whatever the reasons were, probably mostly influenced with prejudice against colonization, whereas Anglo-Saxon influences in the organization of the Executive were incorporated thus introducing a new experimental element of schizophrenia in the states concerned.
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Jun 13, 2015 03:27am
It is quite bold and daring on part of the minister that he made public the three countries (US, israel and india) who sided with the NGOs whorking illegally and not with Pakistan. We don't expect good from others but US should have done the right thing by supporting Pakistan. If US thought that Pakistan was doing something illegal then US should have made that public. At least, I am unable to recollect US's statement on this issue. Things like this add to public mistrust of US. US should address such genuince grieviences.
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Jun 13, 2015 05:23am
Yes Pakistan should not trust all these NGOs.Bin Laden would not have been killed and US would not have violated Pakistan's sovereignty, if actions were taken before. Who else is hiding in Pakistan may be disclosed by NGO's Pakistani workers for money. Watch all the foreign NGOs for sure.
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Jun 13, 2015 05:49am
@Iqbal Malik how do u know?
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Jun 13, 2015 06:21am
Throw all NGO's out of the country, both good and the bad.
Pakistan can do with out these trouble makers.
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Jun 13, 2015 06:41am
Pakistan have enough medical trained staff . They dot need outsider to help them with trained man pover . No body trust them with money and medical supply . Pak. Government knows well their greed and weakness .
First they have to clean their own house , before the points finger towards others .
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Jun 13, 2015 07:24am
Internal security in Pakistan is as important as national defence.Pakistan is surrounded by three nuclear powers and one which can push it into Middle East conflict.It is time to do the following:i) Try to make EDUCATION compulsory.No day dreaming on this point.2)Try to modernize madarsa education at neck-break speed.They should get optional technical and vocational courses.Likewise they should be taught other courses like other schools.Islamic Studies for Muslims is a mother course.A few topics in Islamic Studies can be taught in all courses.There should a commission for comparative Training of TEeachers,Curriculum and Education Policy.
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