Authorities have closed offices of as many as 11 international non-governmental organisations after the Ministry of Interior rejected their registration request. Following the ministry’s refusal, police locked the offices of UK, US, and other foreign countries-based NGOs. The foreign organisations were barred from carrying out any operation in Pakistan.
The INGOs include Ziaul Ummat Foundation (UK), Al-Khair Foundation (UK), Central Asia Education Trust Pakistan, Centre for International Enterprise (US), International Alert (UK), Danish Refugee Council (Denmark), Foundation Open Society Institute Pakistan (Switzerland), Oxfam Novib (Holland), Acumen Fund International (US) and AVDRC World Vegetable Centre (Taiwan).
In December 2017, the government had ordered 21 foreign-aid groups to wrap up their activities and prepare to leave after they failed to re-register under the regulations introduced two years ago. Open Society Foundations, the charity founded by George Soros, and the South Africa-based ActionAid were among the groups informed of the decision this week. In October, authorities taking action under National Action Plan (NAP) suspended the registration of over 3,000 non-governmental organisations working in Balochistan.
According to media, the registration of 3,250 NGOs has been revoked after they failed to submit essential documents and due to their inactivity.
Published in Daily Times, May 13th 2018.
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