ISLAMABAD: International Non-Profit Organizations (INGOs) have been found operating without mandatory registration with the Ministry of Interior in Pakistan.
Sources said that INGOs such as Tobacco-Free Kids and Key Strategies are working without mandatory registration in Pakistan, especially with the Ministry of Interior.
According to Pakistani law, all INGOs must be registered with the Ministry of Interior after security clearance from intelligence agencies. No INGO can operate in Pakistan without security clearance and registration with the Ministry of Interior.
INGOs must apply to the Union with details of their projects and can operate in the country after clearing security from law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
In a shocking revelation, it has been learned that two INGOs, Child-Free and Critical Strategy, are operating in Pakistan without mandatory registration with the Ministry of Interior.
Sources said this illegal INGO also works with various ministries, government agencies, and local NGOs and provides technical and financial assistance in various projects. According to the law, it is illegal for any government agency or ministry to work with INGOs that are not registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In the past, various INGOs were involved in internal affairs and activities against the state of Pakistan. An INGO working mainly in the health sector was found guilty of running a fake health campaign in Abbottabad and espionage near a military installation.
Pakistan was also removed from the FATF gray list in October 2022, with significant improvements in its anti-money laundering (AML)/counter-terrorist financing (CFT) framework.
Following this issue, the Home Ministry has taken concrete steps to register INGOs operating in Pakistan after clearing security from intelligence agencies. Registration of any INGO with the Ministry of Home Affairs is mandatory. Without this mandatory registration, no INGO can operate in Pakistan.
According to the interviewee, it is very strange that government departments and ministries are working directly and indirectly with two illegal INGOs that are not registered namely Tobacco-Free Children and Basic Strategy.
