KARACHI, May 18: Though non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are no substitutes for institutions of the state that are unable or unwilling to do their jobs, in many so-called third world countries like Pakistan, NGOs play crucial roles in plugging the various holes created by a lack of or weak infrastructure.
However, Sindh Social Welfare Minister Nargis N.D. Khan’s recent statement that 70 per cent of the province’s 7,000 registered NGOs were non-functional, should come as a wake-up call to all stakeholders as by all standards, this is a mind-boggling figure. The minister made this statement at a seminar in Karachi on May 6.
Talking to Dawn, Ms Khan said efforts were afoot to streamline the process of registration and monitoring of NGOs so that bogus set-ups could be weeded out.
“We need to establish checks and balances. I was told by the provincial coordinator that about 80 per cent of NGOs were dormant. It should be unearthed why previous governments neglected this sector. It will be systemized. A committee has been formed. We will also amend the (related) act,” said the minister.
She added that there had been some concern voiced by certain organizations, but genuine NGOs did not need to worry about the pending accountability process.
‘No fear of accountability’
“Some people have complained. I think it’s a case of chore machay shore. If an organisation is working smoothly, there should be no fear of accountability. Nobody is sacred. You should learn from criticism. This should not be taken in a negative light. If there is no monitoring, it goes out of control.”
Giving details about the proposed accountability, she said “there will be a three-year certification. There will also be performance reports, utilization reports and an audit. We have also proposed renewal fees. This will ensure that NGOs remain alert. Yes, they are non-governmental organizations, but I believe joint efforts are needed between public and private sector organizations to achieve progress.”
Yusuf Khattak, coordinator of an NGO, the Child and Labour Rights Organisation, agreed with the figure quoted by the minister and said that certain people set up NGOs purely for personal gain.
“This figure (7,000) is correct. Not a lot of NGOs are functional. Some people are involved in field work and mobilization, but unfortunately, real people don’t often get funding. Others get hefty salary packages, sometimes touching Rs150,000 a month, including such benefits as house rent, car, fuel etc. About 3,000 organizations are properly registered. But it is my belief that even out of these around 60 per cent are inactive. Individuals get them registered. It is very easy to form an NGO.”
As for the source of NGOs’ funding, Mr Khattak said: “Some have local and some have foreign donors such as the European Union and others. The NGOs do have internal audits conducted by chartered accountants, and there have been some objections raised even with a few major NGOs that are active in the field, though some audits are not genuine.”
However, Zohra Yusuf, Vice-Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, one of the country’s most well-recognized NGOs, sounded wary about government intervention and cautioned that not all of the dormant organizations were working with ulterior motives.
“I have no idea as far as the numbers go. I would agree that a large number are on paper. That doesn’t mean that the government should get involved. NGOs have to report annually. There is a process of monitoring that should be taken care of. Sometimes people come together over an issue with a lot of enthusiasm. But due to a lack of commitment and funding, (the organizations) fizzle out. The inactive ones are not always dishonest.”
Yousuf Khattak agrees that though there are some black sheep, what the system really requires is improvement.
“There are advantages to NGOs, such as a rise in awareness as well as employment for a lot of people. There are negatives and positives. The system needs improvement.”
When Qurban Ali Memon, Provincial Coordinator of Sindh’s Social Welfare Department, was approached by Dawn for his comments on the figure and explanation of the process of registering a NGO, he said he had no exact figures.
“All 23 districts (of Sindh) have different figures. They come under the administration of the district coordination officers. There is no fee for registration,” he told this reporter.
‘NGO culture’
Commenting on the history and mushroom growth of NGOs, Mr Khattak said it was during Gen Ziaul Haq’s 11-year martial law regime that these organizations really took off, resulting in the creation of a ‘NGO culture.’
“The Zia martial law fuelled the growth of the NGO culture. Many people from the middle class fled to Europe and other foreign countries and developed links and were influenced by the nationals of these countries. When they returned, they brought this mindset with them and this aided in the creation of the NGO culture. Before and even during Zia’s martial law, the begums and daughters of generals used to run organizations. With the middle class, there were local welfare societies in the mohallas, where people pooled in resources.”
Nargis N.D. Khan observed that perhaps a change in the modus operandi of NGOs was the need of the hour.
“Seminars in five-star hotels won’t help anyone. This is not enough. They could use this money in the field. We are inviting proposals and suggestions from NGOs. There are 7,000 registered NGOs. If each of them even adopts one union council (in the province) as a project, so much can be achieved. There are health, education and employment issues that need to be addressed.”
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