Byzantine and ambiguous legal processes, unclear regulations, and ad hoc security requirements hinder the work of international NGOs in a country where distrust of foreign funded entities runs deep.
Taking a break from performing arts related articles, to bring bring out a story that seems to have elements of an international espionage thriller...
Ok, maybe that is being a little dramatic. The short version is that for about a decade following September 11, 2001, Pakistan received a massive influx of aid from foreign-funded INGOs. However, in 2010-2011, a series of incidents were revealed in which the CIA or Pentagon contractors were using some of these humanitarian activities as a front for intelligence gathering. This led to a range of ever-increasing regulations, from limiting mobility and travel for existing NGOs to an over-all rejection of registrations for others trying to provide aid. Consequently, many organizations have had to reduce services or cease operations all together.
There are a couple other worthwhile takes on this issue here:
https://dailytimes.com.pk/139828/narrow-escape-ingos/
and here:
https://dailytimes.com.pk/135629/noc-ingos-tool-corruption/
This becomes an example to support the notion of INGOs operating on a continuum of contestation, supplementation, and cooperation. Many of the NGOs impacted by these tightening regulations served to supplement public services, initially, but have taken on more of a contestation role as a response to government policies.
There are further implications as well, when considering the role trust has in garnering support for nonprofits. When the level of trust is broken, the repercussions are often much wider than a single organization’s consequences. Other organizations’ ability to deliver services is often hindered as well, causing the ripples of the impact to continue out towards the health of the civil society.
