KARACHI: Several civil society organisations working in Pakistan have urged the government, particularly the interior ministry, to revisit its decision of rejecting the registration applications of several international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), which have been told to leave the country without any plausible justification.

Last week, the government rejected the registration of over 18 INGOs. Similar action on a second batch of 29 INGOs is said to be pending.

In a statement released on Tuesday, members of civil society, representing the Pakistan Civil Society Forum, Pakistan Human Rights Defenders Network, and other national organisations and regional networks stated that INGOs supported Pakistan’s development agenda. “We believe that this decision would negatively impact the country’s development agenda and its image internationally,” the statement said.

As happens the world over, international civil society works in partnership with the government and local civil society organisations, supporting service delivery, advocacy, research and capacity-building initiatives on education, healthcare, humanitarian work, water, legal reforms and rule of law, among others. They also work on rights and offer support and capacity to strengthen delivery of basic rights, such as human rights, labour rights, rights for women, minorities and the disabled. In 2017 alone, the INGO sector as a whole reached out to 34 million people with humanitarian relief and development assistance.

The move of rejecting the registration applications of several INGOs also violates the framework of the right to freedom of association, which is enshrined in Article 17 of the Constitution and guaranteed by major international conventions on rights such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 22) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 20).

It was pointed out that the government is required to demonstrate that its restrictions on freedom of association are prescribed by law and backed by parliament. The law is sufficiently precise for an individual or NGO to foresee a violation to the law and the state must demonstrate the necessity of placing such a restriction. But the government provided no reason whatsoever for turning down the registration application of INGOs.

“If any of these organisations or individuals associated are involved in any unlawful activity or crime they should be prosecuted within the due process of the law. Otherwise, this will be seen as the government’s attack on civic freedom. Pakistan is a functional democracy and cannot afford such actions due to flawed and non-consultative decisions,” the statement further said.

It was also pointed out that the recent decision would also negatively impact Pakistan’s performance on achieving targets under the Sustainable Development Goals.

Therefore, civil society urged the government to immediately withdraw the rejection letters issued to INGOs, revisit the INGO Registration Policy Framework 2015 through a consultative process, make sure that accountability and transparency mechanisms should come through a transparent and consultative process and meet the standard of due process, consider the non-governmental sector as a partner rather than a foe and ensure that democratic and civic space is available to all without any discrimination.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2018