ISLAMABAD: As many as 58 international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) have been formally allowed to operate in Pakistan under the new registration policy framework.

“We have signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with 58 INGOs so far and the number will reach around 70 in a week or so,” a senior official of the Ministry of Interior told Dawn after a meeting held here with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in the chair.

He said in all around 130 INGOs had applied for registration after the new online registration system was unveiled in October 2015. He said some INGOs had still not submitted the documents sought from them.

The interior minister appreciated what he called the landmark achievement and directed expeditious completion of pending applications of INGOs. He also issued directives for the establishment of a robust INGO facilitation cell in the interior ministry with technical support from Nadra (National Database & Registration Authority).

“While we will welcome INGOs to operate freely and independently in Pakistan, let me also make it very clear that now there would absolutely be no margin or space for any INGO to misuse its permission. We would not allow anyone to work against our national security interests under the facade of INGO,” Chaudhry Nisar said.

He unveiled the first-ever policy to regulate the operations of INGOs in the country in October 2015.

It requires all INGOs to apply through a newly-introduced online registration system within the next 60 days.

The policy warns INGOs against any engagement in money laundering, terror financing, weapons smuggling, anti-state activities or maintenance of links with proscribed organisations, which would entail cancellation of their registration.

During the meeting on Thursday, the interior minister directed Nadra to start work on provision of new card to the foreigners who have Pakistani spouses in order to facilitate their residence within the country.

The minister imposed a ban on acquiring buildings and other properties for Nadra offices on rent, saying that this was an avenue of corruption and misappropriation.

The minister approved a mechanism of cooperation between Nadra and the Pakistan Post through which the latter would improve its services. Under the project, Nadra’s services would be available in the buildings of Pakistan Post. Initially, Nadra’s services would be available in 10 post offices — two each in urban and rural areas of four provinces and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2017