ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Affairs Muhammad Yaqoob Shaikh Wednesday informed the National Assembly that as many as 454 Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) were registered in the country under various acts.
Answering to a question during question hour in the House, he said that Ministry of Economic Affairs does not register NGOs and foundations.
However, as per NGO Policy 2013, Economic Affairs Division (EAD) signs MOUs with NGOs for their foreign-funded projects only.
Yaqoob Shaikh said that as per the policy, an NGO submits required documents to EAD. After clearance from the relevant stakeholders, EAD signs MOU with the respective NGO for obtaining foreign-finding for the project applied for.
He said that EAD does not register NGOs, however, EAD has signed MOUs with 454 NGOs for their foreign-funded projects in the last three years and as per the policy, EAD signs only project-based MOUs with the NGOs.
Yaqoob Shaikh said in case of violation of any provisions of the MOU, EAD terminates the MOUs only. As per the policy, EAD only terminates the MoUs with the respective NGO to the extent of foreign-funded project only. No action is taken against such NGOs by EAD.