Funds distribution in war-hit areas: National Assembly body concerned over absence of monitoring system

National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has expressed serious concern over the absence of monitoring mechanism for checking distribution of funds by foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in war-hit areas of Malakand, Swat and other parts of NWFP, which may be funnelled to strengthen Taliban war machine.
During National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division, Chairman of the committee Malik Azmat apprehended that the foreign NGOs are directly obtaining money from the donors and due to absence of monitoring system, the money may not be given to the genuine stakeholders. It is apprehended that some amount may be distributed among ineligible persons, which might go in the hands of Taliban.
This serious allegation was repeatedly made by the committee chairman during his observations on the non-transparent distribution mechanism of cash grant in Malakand and other war-affected areas by foreign NGOs. If the aid is going into the wrong hands, it could be harmful for the country and threat to the national security as well. In the absence of any check and balance on foreign NGOs, how the government can give surety that amount would not be distributed in wrong hands, Malik Azmat raised question.
He suggested that the government should introduce a law that any foreign NGO should not distribute the amount without prior approval of the EAD with proper monitoring mechanism in place.
The committee chairman claimed that there is a possibility of massive misuse of such cash aids by the NGOs responsible for distribution of aids in the relevant areas. It is the responsibility of the government to check whether the foreign NGOs are properly distributing the amount in affected areas or not.
The committee has invited in its next meeting Director USAID in Pakistan, Chief Secretary NWFP and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission to explain how the foreign aid is being utilised in the sensitive areas. The committee would also check the existing mechanism being used for identification of deserving peoples.
Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Economic Affairs informed the committee that keeping in view the sensitivity of the task the present government is negotiating donor countries including United States as well as donor organisations to utilise aid through government machinery instead of foreign non-governmental organisations.
Secretary Economic Affairs informed the committee that government is legally empowered to direct foreign non-governmental organisations to stop operating in such areas. However, restricting the operations of foreign non-governmental organisations could have impact on flow of aid to Pakistan. "Each and very penny of aid distribution could be legally checked, but it would definitely have consequences on the overall aid program", he added.
The members of committee were of the view that aid coming to Pakistan should be utilised in a transparent manner so that only deserving peoples are benefited and this aid should not go in to the wrong hands.