International aid group Save the Children was told to wind up operation in Pakistan and leave Pakistan as the charity was working against the country. Offices of the international non-governmental organization (INGO) present in the Federal capital were also sealed.
The notification for winding up the operations was issued by the Economic Affairs Division and read ‘The competent authority has been pleased to decide that M/s Save the Children international be asked to wind up its offices/operations in Pakistan forthwith and also issue direction to its expatriates to leave Pakistan within 15 days.’ The Government had decided to scrutinize all INGO’s operating in the country and in this regard a committee was formed under Tariq Fatemi, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs, the committee also had representative from the Inter Services Intelligence and the Ministry of Interior.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan warned on Friday that no NGO working against the interests of Pakistan will be allowed to work. He added that the NGO must work within their limits or face action. He also told that intelligence reports have been received against different NGO’s and there are many in the country who have employees running into hundreds but are operating without any code of conduct or even a set agenda. The Interior Minister also made it clear that the Government is not against NGO’s but harming the country cannot be allowed in the pretext of helping the people.
This is indeed a bold and much needed step taken by the Government, various international organizations have been working in the country for years, yet very little is known about their work and agenda’s. INGO should be welcome but only as long as they guarantee to work transparently within the laws of the country.
NGO’s harming the country in the guise of helping the people cannot be allowed to work.