Islamabad: The government on Tuesday announced that all International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs) will have to complete the process of fresh registration within three months.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and will require INGOs to undergo a fresh assessment by intelligence agencies before they are given permission to remain in Pakistan.
Those INGOs which fail to complete the fresh registration process will not be allowed to operate in the country.
The meeting also allowed INGOs presently in Pakistan to operate for six months within specified areas after they are granted permission by the concerned authority.
A committee headed by Prime Minister’s advisor on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi will provide guidelines and draft legislation for streamlining the operations of international NGOs in the future.
Pakistan has toughened its policies towards international aid groups in recent years, accusing them of covering for spying operations.
