Islamabad: The Ministry of Interior has issued a renewed call for decisive action against two international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies, for operating illegally in Pakistan. These INGOs, linked to suspicious activities, continue to function despite an official directive issued on February 7, 2024, to halt their operations. The directive had been addressed to the Home Departments of all four provinces, the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Chief Commissioner’s Office in Islamabad. However, no significant measures have been taken to enforce the instructions.
The Ministry of Interior’s directive explicitly required to freeze the INGOs’ bank accounts and a complete cessation of their activities, as neither organization is registered with the Ministry of Interior or the Economic Affairs Division—a mandatory requirement under Pakistani law. Additionally, these INGOs are not listed with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), raising concerns about their legitimacy.
According to senior officials, the failure of provincial Home Departments and the Chief Commissioner’s Office to act on these instructions has allowed these organizations to operate unchecked. “It is deeply concerning that despite clear instructions and substantial evidence, these INGOs continue their activities, violating Pakistan’s laws and raising serious questions about national security and economic stability,” said a government source.
These INGOs are accused of funding local NGOs without securing the required approvals, influencing policymaking, and organizing international tours for government officials and members of provincial assemblies. Despite their unregistered status, they have reportedly collaborated with several local NGOs and federal institutions, such as the Health Services Academy and the Tobacco Control Cell under the Ministry of Health. Such activities not only breach national regulations but also pose a direct threat to Pakistan’s governance and economic interests.
The Ministry of Interior has also directed the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan to freeze all bank accounts linked to Tobacco-Free Kids and Vital Strategies to curb their financial activities. An official remarked, “These organizations are operating under the guise of advocacy, but their actions suggest a deeper agenda that undermines Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic framework.”
Continued inaction against these INGOs damages the credibility of Pakistan’s regulatory institutions and governance. By ignoring such blatant violations, the authorities risk setting a dangerous precedent that allows foreign entities to exploit the system with impunity.
The government must act decisively to safeguard Pakistan’s economic and national security interests. Allowing these INGOs to operate without oversight undermines the country’s regulatory framework and jeopardizes the public’s confidence in Pakistan’s governance. The Ministry of Interior had asked all relevant departments to take action nearly a year ago, and it is yet to be seen if the Home Departments of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK, and the office of the Chief Commissioner, Islamabad, will take any action now or not.