Pakistan orders 18 INGOs, involved in spying, to stop operations

Islamabad: Pakistan government issued a notice to Eighteen International Non-governmental Organisations (INGOs) asking them to wrap up their operations over failing to comply with prescribed rules in the country. Most of the INGOs were funded by the United States and European nations.

Issuing notice to the INGOs the Ministry of Interior informed them on October 2 that their application for registration had not been approved. They are asked to wind up operations within 60 days. However, they have been given a chance to re-apply for registration in light of revised MoU.

Citing reason for issuing the notice to INGOs, Defence analyst Brigadier (retd) Nazeer Mohmand said during surveillance of these INGOs, it was revealed that they were involved in ‘suspicious activities’. The defence analyst further informed that some of the INGOs were also operating near sensitive installations. However, he also admitted that some of these organisations have undoubtedly been working for the betterment of the country. But said, the activities of others have put them under the ‘suspicious’ category.