ISLAMABAD: A large number of International Non-Profit Organizations (INGOs) have been operating in Pakistan without any registration, sources said.
It has been learned that INGOs namely Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies are operating in Pakistan without mandatory registration, especially in the Ministry of Interior. Sources have revealed that according to the law, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) operating in Pakistan and receiving foreign funding are required to register with both the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and the Ministry of Interior.
To operate legally in the country, NGOs must submit applications through the EAD and Ministry of Interior portals, providing detailed information about their projects. They can commence operations only after receiving security clearance from law enforcement and intelligence agencies of the country.
It has been learned that organizations like Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies are involved in various tobacco-related initiatives in Pakistan, allegedly supported by donations and funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Despite their activities, sources indicate that neither of these INGOs has submitted applications to the EAD for registration. Similarly, they are not registered with the Ministry of Interior.
The government of Pakistan revised its INGOs policy based on recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This step was taken to address concerns regarding previous cases where certain INGOs were found involved in activities detrimental to Pakistan’s interests.
It is worth mentioning here that in the past, numerous INGOs have been involved in spying and activities against the Pakistani state. A health-related INGO in particular was found guilty of carrying out a fake health campaign in Abbottabad and engaging in surveillance close to military installations, sources said.
Pakistan’s removal from the FATF grey list in October 2022 was attributed to significant improvements in the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. To maintain this progress, the Ministry of Interior implemented stringent measures requiring INGOs to register after undergoing security clearance from law enforcing agencies. Without this mandatory registration, INGOs are prohibited from carrying out their activities in Pakistan.
