Policy for regulation of International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs) in Pakistan

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GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
*****

Notification

No.6/34/2015 – PE -III Islamabad, 1
st October, 2015

Policy for regulation of International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs) in
Pakistan
1. PREAMBLE

1.1 This policy will regulate , in future , the registration, working, funding, monitoring
and other related aspects pertaining to all types of International Non-
Governmental Organizations (INGOs) functioning in Pakistan.

1.2 The Government of Pakistan acknowledges the diverse contributions of
International Non -governmental Organizations (INGOs) in the socio-economic
development of Pakistan, through means such as awareness -raising, social-
mobilization, infrastructure -development, service delivery, training, research and
advocacy.

1.3 This policy recognizes and affirms the need for collaboration with the INGOs by
the Government a s well as by the private sector. Accountability of all
stakeholders and transparency in functioning are the key issues in good
governance. INGOs are expected to conform to international best practices in
these areas. The Government will recognize the excellence in governance
among INGOs by promoting best practices.

2. SCOPE OF THE POLICY
2.1 This Policy will have sole jurisdiction over all types of International Non –
governmental Organizations (INGOs) (including not-for -profits that may not be
registered in their home countries as INGOs but are still, part of the not -profit
sector and undertake activities similar to typical INGOs) receiving foreign

contributions or utilizing foreign economic assistance to engage in various
development programs in Pakistan.
2.2 To be covered under this Policy, an INGO should be:
• A private entity i.e. separate from the Government.

• Not receiving return profits generated to their owners or directors or staff.
• Self -governing i.e. not controlled by the Government.
• A registered organization with defined aims and objectives.
3. OBJECTIVES OF THE POLICY
3.1 To fac ilitate and streamline the registration and functioning of INGOs
contributing to socio -economic development of Pakistan while ensuring that
they abide by the relevant laws and norms of Pakistan .
3.2 To encourage the INGOs to build a synergistic relation ship with the Government
and private sector, at the local, provincial and national levels, through ensuring
efficient execution of their programs and activities in the best public interest .
3.3 To identify systems by which the Government may work togethe r with INGOs on
the basis of the principles of mutual trust, respect and with shared responsibility.
3.4 To enable the INGOs to receive legitimate foreign contributions or foreign
economic assistance through legal channels and appropriately utilize these
financial resources on the agreed areas of public welfare, simultaneously
ensuring due monitoring, accountability and transparency of their governance,
management and funding streams.
4. REGISTRATION AND FUNDING
4.1 INGOs receiving foreign contributions (funds, materials and services) emanating
from outside Pakistan or utilizing forei gn economic assistance will require prior
registration exclusively with the Ministry of Interior (MOI).
4.2 INGOs shall not raise funds and/or receive donations, locally, unless specifically
authorized.

4.3 The INGOs shall declare to the Government of Pakistan all foreign funds, along
with the terms and conditions of those funds, as well as details of all bank
accounts maintained by them. The INGOs will maintain their financial accounts
as per internationally accepted accounting standards.
4. 4 There shall be an INGO Committee, chaired by Secretary Interior, in Ministry of
Interior, to facilitate, streamline and monitor the working of INGO s. The INGO
Committee will be the sole authority for approving registration of INGOs.
4. 5 All INGOs presently operating in Pakistan will be required to apply for fresh
registration on the newly introduced electronic version of the registration form,
within 60 days from the date of proclamation of this policy.
4. 6 Scrutiny of applications will be done by the INGO Committee within a period of
60 days .
4. 7 Approved INGOs will be registered for specific field (s) of work and specified
location (s) or areas of operation, after consultation with the relevant F ederal and
P rovincial authorities , and in line with their needs and national priorities of
Pakistan .
4. 8 The INGO may apply for renewal of registration four (04) months prior to expiry of
registration.
4. 9 Pending final decision on application for registration, there will be no interim
permission to work . However, previously registered INGOs will be allowed to
continue their operations for six months or until final decision on their applications
for fresh re gistration.
5. FUNCTIONING AND MONITORING
5.1 Subject to approval, the INGO will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the Government for a period upto 3 years from the date of signatures. A
draft MOU is attached to this policy and can also be downloaded.

5.2 The INGOs will only be allowed to establish headquarters and field offices, open
bank accounts, and hire local employees after registration with the Government.
No unregistered INGO shall be allowed to function or issued vi sas for its
personnel.
5.3 All INGOs shall submit an A nnual Plan of Action detailing all envisaged projects
and the respective budgetary allocations to Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and
Ministry of Interior (MOI) at the time of registration, and subsequ ently on an
annual basis . EAD will share the se details with all concerned . The Planning and
Development Departments of the Provincial Governments can also review the
activities of the INGOs in terms of their TORs, and provide counsel where
deemed appropriate.
5.4 INGOs shall only provide assistance (monetary and/or material) to a local or
international NGO after approval of the Government.
5.5 Security clearance shall be obtained by Pakistan Missions abroad before issuing
initial visa to the foreign nation als intending to work for INGOs. Hiring of foreign
nationals by the INGOs in their management and/or staff shall be subject to prior
clearance of Ministry of Interior.
5.6 Maximum duration of visas for non -Pakistani nationals working for the INGO s, will
b e one year .
5.7 The foreign employees of the INGOs shall seek prior permission of the Ministry of
Interior (M OI) for visiting areas outside their designated area s of activities .
Violation may lead to cancellation of visas.
5.8 Business / visit visas shall not be issued to INGOs staff. No request for change of
status of visa shall be e ntertained in Pakistan or by Pakistan Missions abroad .
5. 9 There will be regular and effective monitoring of INGOs’ activities and work
throughout Pakistan. MOI will periodically update relevant authorities about the
status and areas of operation / of INGOs enabling them to ensure effective
vigilance on INGOs .

5.10 The INGOs shall not engage in money laundering, terrorist financing, weapon
smuggling, anti -state activities or maintain links with the proscribed organizations.
5.1 1 Breach of security or involvement in any activity inconsistent with Pakistan’s
nation al interests, or contrary to Government policy, will lead to cancellation of
registration. Likewise, INGOs shall not take part or assist in any kind of political
activities, conduct research or surveys unrelated to their TORs. Violation may
lead to cancell ation of registration.
5.1 2 Any information on violation of terms of reference by an INGO received by any
Ministry / Department / Agency will be expeditiously shared with all concerned.
6. TRANSPARENCY AND DISCLOSURE
6.1 The INGOs shall be obliged to provide any information that the government may
require from time to time.
6.2 There shall be proper regulation and monitoring of INGOs ’ sources of funding,
their accounts and tax returns. INGOs not fulfilling disclosure requirements will be
proceeded agai nst, under prescribed rules and regulations.
6.3 INGOs will be required to have their financial audit conducted by the auditors
approved by the INGO Committee.
6.4 The INGOs shall fulfill reporting requirements mandated by the Government on
the prescribed formats. The INGO Committee will devise these reporting formats
as per requirements from time to time.
6.5 The INGOs shall be required to make all payments above Rs.20,000/ – (Twenty
Thousand) in Pakistan through banking channels.
7. REVIEW OF REGISTRATION
7. 1 Right of appeal will be applicable only to the cases of cancellation of
registration.

7.2 In case of grievance of any INGO against the orders of INGO Committee, the
concerned INGO may file a representation (within 90 days from the date of
orders of IN GO Committee) before a S pecial Ministerial Committee to be
constituted and notified by the Government. The said C ommittee would dec ide
all representations within 9 0 days. The decision of this C ommittee would be final.

7. 3 Any d ecision on termination of IN GO registration shall be implemented within a
period of 60 days, allowing such an INGO to fulfill all contractual obligations.
Winding up of operations will be in accordance with the laid down procedure to
be notified by the INGO Committee. Cancellation of registration cannot be
challenged in any court of law.

7. 4 If the Government may deem it in public interest (such as in situations of national
disasters and other calamities), it may, subject to such conditions that it may
specify, exempt an INGO from al l or any of the provisions of this policy for a
period not exceeding 6 months.
Sd/-
(KHALIL AHMED)
Deputy Secretary (FIA)