New Anti Narcotics Policy 2019 on cards, all NGOs across Pakistan to be registered
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ISLAMABAD - Ministry of Narcotics Control will maintain a database of Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs/INGOs), working on drug prevention and treatment, under a new National Anti-Narcotics Policy-2019.
Their periodic assessment of performance will be undertaken through a robust monitoring mechanism to ascertain efficacy which will then reflect upon extension of registration or cancellation of initial registration.
The policy-2019 document showed that all NGOs (International Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs or local/international donors/charitable organizations working on drug and controlled substance abuse (prevention/treatment/rehabilitation/awareness raising) in Pakistan shall be registered with the relevant Ministry.
In this regard, the Ministry of Narcotics Control will develop SOPs related to registration and functioning.
The document further revealed that being a social evil, the problem of drug addiction is also being dealt by Non-Governmental Organizations of both local and foreign origin.
Owing to sensitivity of the matter, it is all more important to assess competence and capability of person undertaking the task of running treatment and rehabilitation centres on grounds including mobilizing support of private sector and relevant NGOs to promote drug treatment, care, rehabilitation and reintegration facilities.
Develop, by end of 2019, a unified/standardized protocols and evidence based treatment guidelines for Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres in the country to adopt and practice.
The Ministry of Narcotics Control will establish a mechanism to register all such centers that meet laid down/approved standards and guidelines. The Centers so recognized will be recognized treatment Centers by federal and provincial governments.
It also needs to be ascertained that whether or not these organizations are performing the said task in line with international best Practices besides observing traditional sensitivities of Pakistani society.
For this reason it will be mandatory for all such NGOs/INGOs, aspiring to register with Ministry of Narcotics Control.
The policy document revealed that after preliminary screening and detailed scrutiny, a Registration Certificate will be awarded to the organization if it is found eligible in all respects.
Upon registration such NGOs/INGOs will be eligible to seek funding opportunities from local or international sources in order to carry out their operations.
