Call to review regulation policy for NGOs

LAHORE: A non-government organisations network launched a research study “Defining National Interest in Human Development” authored by Dr Qais Aslam and Peter Jacob, demanding the government review regulation policy for INGOs and NGOs to make the procedure of registration more transparent.

Speaking on the occasion, co-author of the research study, and NGO’s executive director Peter Jacob stated that Pakistan is obliged to work for enabling working environment, ensure meaningful cooperation and engagement with civil society under SDGs, GSP+ and FATF; therefore, the government needed to review regulation policy for INGOs and NGO to make the procedure of registration more transparent and user-friendly encouraging all lawful functions.

The convener of an NGO, Tanveer Jahan, said the policy for NGOs had affected more than 34 million Pakistanis who were being served with humanitarian relief and development assistance, while this policy had contributed to unemployment and intimidation among Pakistanis associated with social development sector.

MNA Jamshed Thomas said that NGOs should promote accountability mechanism that includes regular submission of information and documentation to relevant registration authority to ensure transparent and judicious utilisation of funds. He added that civil society must engage in dialogue with parliamentarians for discussing impact of INGOs/ NGOs regulation policy, and dispelling misperceptions and building confidence.

The study incorporating the legal and technical analysis of policy, analysis of socio-political context, economic fallout, and the way forward; identifies that the stringent regulation policy for INGOs will gravely affect international relations, dissuade international community (donors & civil society) from providing support to human development, and increase unemployment, while the foreign investments will become tougher in the wake of lack of protection for civil liberties.

The study revealed that the country’s profile on the social, health, education, human rights and environmental indicators as well as ease to do business are among the lowest in the world and Pakistan falls at 41 in GDP growth in the world. The country needs educational, civil services, structural and legal reforms for a rapid growth and to safeguard the rights of its people.