Dealing with INGOs

There has always been a certain amount of suspicion attached to both local and international NGOs, given that many receive foreign funding and work in contentious fields. During the tenure of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan as interior minister, that suspicion became disturbingly palpable. Many INGOs were forced to wrap up their operations in the country and a stringent new registration mechanism was introduced. The policy continued even after Nisar was replaced by Ahsan Iqbal. Late last year, at least 27 INGOs – including prominent ones such as the Marie Stopes Foundation and Action Aid – had their registration applications rejected. But there finally seems to be an understanding in the interior ministry that taking such a hard line against INGOs may be counterproductive. Previously, after their registrations were not approved, INGOs had 60 days to leave the country. Now, they are being given 90 days to appeal the decision and can continue their work while the process plays out. This slightly more accommodating policy led to a clash last week between Iqbal and Nisar in the National Assembly, with the former getting the better of the argument as he defended the government.

The previously-held view of INGOs was dangerously simplistic, and essentially tarred all such organisations as agents of foreign powers. In a country where the foreign agent charge can be lethal, this puts a target on the back of every INGO. Any attempt to walk back on such policies should be welcome. And yet, last week the National Accountability Bureau decided it would check the records of all local and international NGOs to see if they were misusing or misappropriating funds. This step may be seen by many as bordering on a witch hunt. The FBR is the proper authority for such oversight with the interior ministry having a role in the case of INGOs. Then, if any wrongdoing is found and a case needs to be investigated, NAB should get involved. For the anti-corruption body to essentially serve as the regulator for an entire sector of the economy is unprecedented. The NAB decision may have been spurred by the tirade against INGOs in the National Assembly, in which case it would only show the dangers of scapegoating those who, however flawed they might be, are doing some positive work in the country. Should we continue to target INGOs we may soon find that they decide operating in Pakistan is no longer worth the hassle.