THERE has been a global increase in the number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) since the 1970s. However, low-income countries like Pakistan have been in the tight grip of unsatisfactory governance, low resources and high unemployment and other social, cultural and political problems.

In Pakistan, particularly in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, NGOs have programmes providing various services like healthcare, education, micro-finance, agricultural products, and for women’s empowerment. The United Nation Development Programme has also been working for strengthening democracy in Pakistan through different initiatives and gestures.

When we have so many working NGOs on the ground, why should then people be still facing the great magnitude of problems? Where does the flaw exist? In my opinion, the political ideology for the working of NGOs and foreign aid needs to be revisited to allow a smooth and accountable functioning of NGOs in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s situation indicates that the aid and donor support alone are enough for sustained development.

Furqan Hyder Shaikh
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2017