News Desk
Lahore, September 7, 2024:
The Lahore High Court has declared the federal government’s 2022 policy requiring NGOs to register with the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) for foreign funds unlawful, citing a lack of legal basis. This decision, issued in response to a writ petition filed by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) in February, is seen as a significant win for civil society organizations.
The policy, enacted after the Sindh High Court invalidated a similar 2013 regulation, has been criticized for imposing onerous requirements and granting security agencies broad, arbitrary powers to deny clearance to NGOs.
Additionally, the State Bank of Pakistan has clarified that it did not instruct banks to withhold funds from NGOs not registered with the EAD, addressing some concerns about the policy’s impact on financial transactions.