Islamabad: Pakistan announced on Thursday a policy for international NGOs intending to operate in the country, which includes online registration and signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) specifying the domains and areas of interest of these organisations.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan outlined the main points of the policy at a news conference in Islamabad, stressing that Pakistan appreciates the work of the NGOs and has no intention of making it difficult for them to continue their activities.
He said the procedure for registration of the NGOs has been simplified and the government would facilitate all those who want to work for good causes in the country.
International NGOs will have to apply for registration within 60 days and the interior ministry would also take a decision within the same time span regarding approval or otherwise.
The minister said a monitoring committee was being set up in the interior ministry to ensure that the NGOs confine themselves to the specified activity and areas.
He said previously some NGOs were working outside their allowed domains.
The MoUS would remain in force for three years and foreign nationals will need visa for their arrival in the country and the nature of the visa would not be changed.
THE egistration of NGOs found to be indulging in any illegal funding, financing, or interaction with proscribed organisations will be automatically cancelled, the minister said.
Chaudhry Nisar said no international NGO will be allowed to operate without obtaining prior approval and security clearance from the government.
“Pakistan has an open-door policy towards NGOs and will facilitate the organisations working for the welfare of people without any compromise,” he said.
The interior minister said foreign organisations would not be allowed to fund local NGOs nor collect funds in the country without permission of the government of Pakistan.
Nisar pointed out that no country allows activities against its interest and the registration of NGOs will be immediately cancelled if found involved in illegal activities.
“The security situation of the country is very sensitive,” he said, emphasising that the ongoing and military operation Zarb-i-Azb would continue till the complete elimination of terrorism.
