Nisar for INGOs’ registration by next month

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday directed the Interior Ministry that the process of registration of international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) under the new policy should be completed by next month.

Chairing a high level meeting at the Interior Ministry to review the progress made so far in the registration of INGOs, he said the registration of INGOs under the new policy is an important milestone which would bring transparency into the system.

This is critical for the security of the country, he said according to a press release issued by the ministry. Nisar said that the purpose of the new registration system was to bring in transparency into the process and also to further strengthen the equation between the government and non-governmental sector.

He directed the ministry that beside early completion of registration of INGOs, it should also be ensured that the registered INGOs are provided every possible facilitation in their professional pursuits.

The minister observed that the way INGOs were used in the past for various purposes and the whole system was neglected, it adversely affected not only the INGOs themselves, but also eroded confidence between the government and INGOs leading to creation of many misunderstandings.

He said that the transparency of the new system would make up for the past mistakes and revive confidence  between the government and the INGOs, thus paving the way for greater cooperation in socio-economic sector.

The Minister directed that INGOs Wing in the Ministry be further strengthened and all correspondence and communications between the Ministry and INGOs be computerized  so as to reduce time for action and eliminate red-tapism.

So far 66 INGOs have been granted formal approval by the Interior Ministry.

The Minister directed that the process of decision making should be completed at the earliest possible, keeping in view the past projects, performance and impact of the INGOs.

Four INGOs were approved today while it was decided not to allow 10 INGOs to work in Pakistan. The decision on 36 would be completed during next month.

It was also decided during the meeting that a grace period of three months would be given to those INGOs, who would be stopped from working in Pakistan to complete their ongoing projects.

The meeting was attended among others by Secretary Interior, Advocate General, Chairman and Deputy Chairman Nadra and senior officials of Interior Ministry and Nadra.