‘Action against NGOs a bid to silence voices for rights’

LAHORE : An NGO has condemned the cancellation of registration of 42 non-government organisations (NGOs) by the federal government.In a statement issued on Saturday, it stated most of the NGOs affected by this decision were working for the welfare and rights of people and could not be termed a security risk. The decision, the statement said, was actually an attempt to curb civic liberties in the country and silence the voices demanding citizens’ socio-economic and political rights. It said the organisations were extending a helping hand to the state striving to achieve its goals of human development. Instead of acknowledging their services, the state came hard on them, it said.The NGO’s representatives termed the measure totally unacceptable and demanded the government review the policy.They stated the government must follow a proper procedure for scrutiny of NGOs and stop imposing blanket ban on them.They said Pakistan was not progressing in the areas of basic education, primary health, poverty alleviation, woman empowerment and minorities’ rights, etc.The statement pointed out that the state’s policy towards NGOs was contrary to the spirit of national legal framework as well as Pakistan’s international obligations.

from The News International - Lahore http://bit.ly/2N90kuu