Shahid Jameel
Experts opine that sometimes the INGOs are having hidden agendas and may be used by certain countries or organizations to promote despicable aims. The International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) may have their own specific agendas while some NGOs are having aims, which at times are not in consonance with national policies of countries. NGOs as well as INGOs are different from intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), which represent formal groups like the United Nations (UN) or its various organs like International Labour Organization (ILO), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Food Programme (WFP) among others. Some INGOs are based to foster the community-based organizations within each country via different projects. Yet other INGOs are advocacy-based, i.e. their primary purpose is to influence the policy-making of different countries’ governments regarding certain issues or promote awareness of a certain matters like good governance, health, education, awareness of women issues, child labour etc. Many of the large INGOs have components of both operational projects and advocacy initiatives working together within individual countries. Growing consciousness in the Islamic Ummah, led to organizations like Muslim Aid, Islamic Relief and others to come into existence, especially bringing relief in the aftermath of natural catastrophes as well as wars and internal strife ravaging the Muslim world.
In Pakistan, NGOs expanded during the post 9/11 attacks and also grew while taking advantage of the natural disasters of 2005 and 2010. They arrived to provide humanitarian assistance, but often operated as the tip of the spear for foreign intelligence agencies. Some were also involved in activities which were against the Pakistan’s national interests. These INGOs were observed endeavoring to influence Pakistan’s security, religious matters besides breaching social norms and customs. To counter their suspicious activities, in 2015, Pakistan formulated a policy under which all INGOs were required to be registered with the Ministry of Interior under a MoU. These INGOs have been found involved in contradiction to their set objectives i.e. providing cover to foreign spies involved in anti-state activities. Their connections with Indian High Commission have also been revealed. Reportedly, so far 145 INGOs have applied for registration with the Ministry of Interior under new INGOs Policy. During scrutiny it was revealed by security establishments that 63 INGOs are working against Pakistan’s security and solidarity.
In pursuance to its already enacted policy on INGOs, Pakistan has recently shown door to 18 INGOs over failure to comply with rules. These INGOs, most of were funded by the US and European nations, were informed by the Ministry of Interior through notices that their application for registration had not been approved and were asked to wind up their operations within 60 days. Notwithstanding, these INGOs were also given the option to re-apply for registration in the light of revised MoU after 6 months from the date on which they were served the notice. The international media is terming this action by the Pakistan Govt as “an attack on civil society and human rights”. It is important to mention here that Pakistan is not the only country in the world that has put ban on INGOs for working against its national interest. India in the neighborhood has a history of banning and grey listing the INGOs. Registrations of 18,868 NGOs under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act were cancelled by the Home Ministry of India between 2011 and 2017 for violating laws. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has since 2014; tightened surveillance of non-profit groups more than ever before, saying they were acting against India’s national interests. China and Russia are other examples in the region.
Unfortunately, it has been highlighted that 40 INGOs did not even bother to get themselves registered and have been operating in the country without any registration. This is contrary to the rules and norms and a slap on the sovereignty of Pakistan. Interior Ministry is seriously considering taking legal action against such INGOs. Every country has the right to examine the operations of INGOs and appreciate those contributing to development projects.
