'NGOs are more actively engaged in education and health sectors'

While the government functionaries do more lip service, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are more visible in the field actively engaged in the two most neglected sectors, ie education and health. Health and Nutrition Development Society (Hands), one such NGO which was established by well known Professor Dr A G Billoo is working in various areas such as health, education to bring these areas within the easy reach of the common man.
It is endeavouring to provide better healthcare and education to the poorest of the poor. In its health education programme known as Marvi, enrolment campaigns the most educated people are hired from that area in order to have the insight knowledge about the issues.
General Manager, Hands, Bilquis Rehman told Business Recorder that "We provide logistics to fishermen to catch fish and facilitate them in their endeavours to earn a better living." This organisation, she said, has approximately 1,500 staff all over the country and a network of 29 offices across the country. Basic idea is to educate and facilitate people in each area where there are societal issues such as early marriages, disaster management, social mobilisation and poverty education funds. Hands have also been recently registered in UK and USA. Establishment of a digital library is in process. On completion it will be opened for general public.
She said when war against terrorism increased after 9/11 it brought threat to the civilians and particular sects. This non-profitable organisation faced the same insecure situation when five of their working staff was kidnapped by some terrorist groups, threatening that "we were the agents of Jews". West promotes and helps Pakistan in all the welfare works and gets an enormous amount of financial support from them.
Not to mention a multi-national cellular company that faced the same issue five to seven years back. Some unknown sources had been sending messages that the company was working on behalf of a Jewish lobby. A well known aid worker Parveen Rehman who was working for the benefit of local communities was shot dead on March 14 reflecting increased level of violence in country's largest city
It is evident that this mindset is rapidly spreading in our society and is not limited to the ethnic and linguistic sectors only but it also threatens civilians and non-functional people who are benefiting the society by doing public services. Where these welfare organisations and NGOs are providing a true picture of our society, the threats to their lives brings about so many questions such as who is fossilising these thoughts without any authentic proofs, and who gives them the right to take their lives? Bilquis Rehman said.