National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) is compiling a national database of NGOs/NPOs/Charitable organisations and a model law is being framed by the NACTA in co-ordination with provincial governments and Law and Justice Division for regulating operations of NGOs/NPOs/Charities in Pakistan.
Sources said that the decision has been taken in the 11th meeting of the General Committee (GC) at Finance Division under the Chairmanship of Waqar Masood Khan, Finance Secretary. The meeting discussed assignment of work of re-registration of local NGOs/ NPOs/ Charities etc functioning at provincial level to IPC Division and framing of consolidated model law for regulation of local NGOs/ NPOs/Charities etc to Law Division.
According to sources, it has been decided that the NACTA will frame the model law in co-ordination with provincial governments and in consultation with Law and Justice Division for operations of NGOs/NPOs/Charities.
Secondly, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) will examine whether any further legal action of entities whose licences have been revoked is required. Thirdly, for managing database of NGOs/NPOs/Charities, including those in the provinces and their re-registration, Inter Provincial Co-ordination Division (IPC) will assist NACTA for the accomplishment of the assignment.
Fourthly, to freeze the funds of proscribed/listed entities/individuals under a legal cover by State Bank of Pakistan, a reference will be sent to Law and Justice Division for advice by State Bank of Pakistan through Ministry of Finance. Sources said that the National Co-ordinator NACTA apprised that NACTA took the lead and constituted a task force represented by relevant stakeholders for framing a model law to regulate NGOs/ NPOs/ Charities/ INGOs operations. As provinces are also involved in this exercise, therefore they have been requested to thoroughly examine the provincial laws under which NGOs/ NPOs/ Charities have been registered and give their proposals. Officials of Law Division informed that their representative is regularly attending meetings of NACTA convened for the purpose and will extend full support as and when asked for.
On the assignment of making database of local NGOs, NPOs, Charities etc based in the provinces, the representative of IPC stated that NACTA is already working on it. Therefore, he enquired whether IPC Division's support will still be needed. The Chairman of the meeting advised that IPC Division has the mandate to carry out the assignment. The IPC Division representative then assured that full support in the matter will be extended.
Regarding re-registration of INGOs, the Secretary, Interior Division updated that 130 INGOs out of 140 applied for re-registration of which 25 INGOs were registered while applications of 16 INGOs are under process and will be completed in a couple of weeks.
Similarly, for remaining 90 INGOs, one month time will be needed for completing the process. The representative of SECP said that the law namely 'Foreign Contribution Act' to regulate INGOs has not been enacted and pending with Ministry of Interior. SECP has also examined the law. The Commissioner SECP added that under Companies Ordinance, 450 NGOs/NPOs have been revalidated/re-registered. The D.G(UN) mentioned that in the absence of law regarding INGO, Economic Affairs Division (EAD) must ensure that the foreign funding of these companies may not be used in TF risks (Emerging Terrorist Financing Risks), they added.
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