Revised mechanism issued to monitor INGOs working in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry has issued a revised mechanism for international NGOs (INGOs) working for relief activities in Afghanistan. It has been done to keep a closer eye on their working, transfer of funds and goods.

Shared on its official website, the interior ministry under its new mechanism makes it mandatory for such INGOs that any new appointment or extension for Afghan assistance activities shall be subject to fresh formal approval from the Government of Pakistan.

It says that only authorised banking and legal channels shall be used by the INGOs for the transfer of funds and items whereas these organisations shall also provide details of assistance consignment to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) 48 hours before the movement for appropriate confirmation and clearance by customs authorities. The mechanism also talks about audit of the process as per policy.

Every registered INGO shall submit an application with clear scope to the Ministry of Interior. A special committee of the interior ministry shall scrutinise and approve the requested application for humanitarian assistance activities within 10 days.

The procedures say that no funds shall be diverted from already approved projects for Pakistan whereas the new projects/activities will be funded separately and separate books of accounts shall be maintained.

Only authorised banking and legal channels shall be used for the transfer of funds and items. The INGOs shall provide details of the assistance consignment to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) (Collector Customs, Peshawar Collector Customs, Quetta) 48 hours before the movement for appropriate confirmation and clearance by customs authorities.

Any new appointment or extension for Afghan assistance activities shall be subject to fresh formal approval. The INGOs shall also indicate the number of members for which visas are requested for humanitarian assistance activities.

Under the procedure for new INGOs, an INGO shall submit an application as per INGO Policy, 2015 for registration. Any such organisation willing to get registered will require a letter from embassy concerned verifying its credentials, proof of registration in the country of origin, funding source letter, proof of local/office residence with complete address within 30 days of the submission of the application.

Details of designated representatives and staff will also be required to be produced. Special committee of the interior ministry shall scrutinise and approve the requested application for humanitarian assistance activity within 3 weeks.