ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has closed offices of 11 internationalnon-governmental organisations after the Ministry of Interior rejectedtheir registration request.
Following ministry’s refusal, police took action and locked the offices ofUK, US, and other foreign countries-based NGOs. The foreign organizationshave been barred from carrying out any operation in Pakistan.
The NGOs 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 federal government had ordered 21 foreign-aid groupsto wrap up their activities and prepare to leave after they failed tore-register under tough regulations introduced two years ago.
Open Society Foundations, the charity founded by George Soros, and theSouth Africa-based ActionAid were among the groups informed of the decisionthis week.
In October, authorities taking action under National Action Plan (NAP)suspended the registration of over 3,000 non-governmental organizationsworking in Balochistan province.
According to local media, the registration of 3,250 NGOs has been revokedafter they failed to submit essential documents and due to their inactivity.