ISLAMABAD, June 1: Federal Minister for Population Welfare Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain on Thursday criticized non-governmental organisations for restricting their activities only to urban areas.

He made these remarks while speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly Committee on Population Welfare on Thursday.

In response to a query raised by one of the committee members, the minister said he supported NGOs’ role in the society, however, unfortunately they only worked in major cities.

“We need civil society organizations to work in rural areas where the actual help is needed, and not in major cities where the people are already enjoying better living standards,” the minister said.

Supporting his minister, Federal Secretary for Population Welfare Shehzado Sheikh said they (NGOs) were very good at making presentation in five-star hotels, but when it came to working on grounds, “we hardly find anyone”.