QUETTA: Balochistan has started implementing the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and set up a joint investigation team to look into those bank accounts and assets that were frozen some time ago.

A meeting presided over by Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Monday reviewed efforts aimed at stopping funds to terrorist organisations through money laundering, confiscating and freezing of assets and bank accounts of banned organisations, registration of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and collecting their particulars. Legislation for charities also came under discussion.

Additional Chief Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs Haider Ali Shikoh, Additional Inspector General of Police and officials of relevant institutions gave detailed briefings on the pace of implementation on FATF’s recommendations.

The meeting was informed that a joint investigation team has been established for probing into bank accounts and assets which had already been seized by the authorities concerned. The number of such cases, registered by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan, stands at 55.

“Some 29 suspects have already been arrested by the CTD and investigation against them is in progress,” officials told the meeting.

It was decided that deputy commissioners in all the provinces would collect data of NGOs and non-profit organisations for registration and monitoring.

“Balochistan Charities Bill 2019, regarding non-governmental organisations registration and facilitation will be presented in the next provincial cabinet meeting,” the meeting was informed. Chief Minister Alyani endorsed the proposal.

The meeting was informed that the number of NGOs registered by the department of social welfare and department of industries is 4,982 but only 1,418 organisations are functional.

“Donors will have to restrict themselves to provide funds to only those active NGOs which are registered and active, and only regularly audited NGOs will be provided funds. It was also decided in the meeting to ban all non-registered NGOs.”

The CM said that implementation of the FATF’s recommendations is in the best interest of the province as it would help improve law and order in Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2019