Siraj questions ‘retreat’ from NGO action

LAHORE
JI ameer Senator Sirajul Haq has questioned ‘retreat’ by the government under the US pressure on the issue of banning a US NGO allegedly involved in anti-state activities after Islamabad, especially Interior Minister Ch Nisar Ali Khan, had taken a clear stance.
In a statement on Monday, Sirajul Haq said Interior Minister had banned the American NGO “Save the Children” for its ‘anti-state’ and ‘suspicious’ activities besides attempts to change the country’s culture and way of life, but now the government had withdrawn its decision on the US ‘pressure’.
Sirajul Haq said all the NGOs who were sincerely working for the welfare of people and rendering commendable services in the fields of education and health were welcome.
However, he said certain bodies involved in anti-state activities under the garb of NGOs were creating traitors like Dr Shakil Afridi and such NGOs could not be allowed to function. Therefore, the government should take strict note of their pursuits.
JI chief said Pakistan was passing through difficult times and India was issuing threats every now and then. New Delhi was deadly opposed to the Pak China Economic Corridor and wanted to sabotage it. He said India’s designs were no more a secret and the statements from Indian PM, foreign minister and other officials against the Corridor project showed New Delhi’s mood. He said Islamabad could not keep its eyes closed to developments in the region and at the world level. He said NGOs hand in separation of East Pakistan was quite evident. Similarly, he said, the NGOs had played great role in the separation of East Timor from Indonesia and also South Sudan. He said government should not yield to foreign pressure in matters of national security.
Sirajul Haq said the NGOs should be allowed to function only in the areas where the government departments felt their need in the spheres of education and health, and they should not be allowed to enter Tribal areas and other areas which were sensitive and where the armed forces were operating.