International NGOs to continue functioning in Pakistan for six months
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on 16th June 2015 that all international non-government organizations (INGOs) in the country would be allowed to function for a period of six months within specified areas of operation decided by concerned authorities.
While chairing the high-level meeting at the PM House to discuss matter related to INGOs present in the country. The Prime Minister announced the decision. Further, it was decided in the meeting that all INGOs were required to complete the process of fresh registration with the government within three months.
Few days ago Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said that all international NGOs will have to respect Pakistani laws. He further said that “We have proof that some NGOs were working on foreign agendas against Pakistan’s national interest for the past few years. There were several intelligence reports”.
It is also decided now that no non-governmental organisation (NGO) working against the country’s national interest would be allowed to continue working in Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan just want to regulate the system. Do not want to shut down NGOs that follow Pakistani laws.
Before that the authorities sealed off the offices of Save the Children, saying the charity was “working against the country”. Officials said the government ordered the NGO’s expatriate staff to be sent back to their countries within 15 days.
Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said several NGOs were only registered for Islamabad. Some NGOs based in Islamabad started operating in Balochistan and FATA without permission and spreading false news. Several are operating without even being registered.
Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan also said that no compromise would be made on national interest, and that no pressure would be accepted in this regard. He said that the government would soon bring forward a policy to bring NGOs under a defined scope and charter.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by Tariq Fatemi, would provide the guidelines including rules, processes and draft legislation for streamlining the work of the INGOs in Pakistan in the future.