I don't blame them. If the NGO is living outside it's charter they are violating the trust of the country that provided them freedom to operate.
Pakistan's national security is tenuous at times. If the citizens come to realize their culture is being violated by agencies allowed into the country by the government, their is potential for violence.
The society in a country such as Pakistan is aligned with their religious roots. If the people believe there are agencies that don't respect their culture, there are consequences the government and people didn't bargain for.
NGOs should not be working under the premise that the country becomes hooked on the aid they bring so they can operate above the law and in violation with their charter. "Save the Children" is lucky, they weren't arrested for espionage. Do not violate the charter because the people receiving relief are experiencing poverty. Poverty does not equate to acceptance on any terms.
The UN and/or the US State Department should investigate to determine what happened to turn the Pakistan government against a well known NGO.
A police officer stands guard outside a sealed ‘Save the Children’ office in Islamabad. (AP)
ISLAMABAD: A local worker (click here) with the international aid group Save the Children says the group has shut down all its offices in Pakistan after the government shuttered its main office in Islamabad, raising fear among other organizations whether the government could target them next.
The worker said Saturday that the group “voluntarily” closed its offices Friday in the northwestern city of Peshawar, the southern city of Karachi, the eastern city of Lahore and the southwestern city of Quetta.
The move came after Pakistan’s government on Thursday shut the group’s main office in Islamabad for allegedly violating its charter.
The decision drew international criticism, but Pakistan says it will not allow any non-government organization to work against its interests.
Pakistan's national security is tenuous at times. If the citizens come to realize their culture is being violated by agencies allowed into the country by the government, their is potential for violence.
The society in a country such as Pakistan is aligned with their religious roots. If the people believe there are agencies that don't respect their culture, there are consequences the government and people didn't bargain for.
NGOs should not be working under the premise that the country becomes hooked on the aid they bring so they can operate above the law and in violation with their charter. "Save the Children" is lucky, they weren't arrested for espionage. Do not violate the charter because the people receiving relief are experiencing poverty. Poverty does not equate to acceptance on any terms.
The UN and/or the US State Department should investigate to determine what happened to turn the Pakistan government against a well known NGO.
A police officer stands guard outside a sealed ‘Save the Children’ office in Islamabad. (AP)ISLAMABAD: A local worker (click here) with the international aid group Save the Children says the group has shut down all its offices in Pakistan after the government shuttered its main office in Islamabad, raising fear among other organizations whether the government could target them next.
The worker said Saturday that the group “voluntarily” closed its offices Friday in the northwestern city of Peshawar, the southern city of Karachi, the eastern city of Lahore and the southwestern city of Quetta.
The move came after Pakistan’s government on Thursday shut the group’s main office in Islamabad for allegedly violating its charter.
The decision drew international criticism, but Pakistan says it will not allow any non-government organization to work against its interests.
