[sacw] UPDATE- Action Alert on Pakistan

[aiindex@mnet.fr]

May 29, 1999
Posted below is an Update of an Urgent Action Alert in Defence of Human
Rights / Women's Rights Activists, Groups & NGO, and the free press in
Pakistan. Please take some time and write a letter to the Pakistani govt.
In solidarity with friends in Pakistan!
(South Asia Citizens Web)
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
28 May 1999
UPDATE - WLUML ACTION ALERT ON PAKISTAN

Dear friends,

This is the update on the situation in Pakistan regarding attacks against NG=
Os.
The situation has been deteriorating in the past few days, despite a
worldwide wave of protest to the Government and support to the threatened
NGOs.

- In particular heads of some NGOs have been visited by the intelligence
agencies and called for further investigation.

- An FIR (First Information Report) has been lodged against Hina Jilani, by
the father and instigator of the murder of Samia Imran, who still walks
free, on the premices of her lawyer Hina Jilani, accusing her of her
involvement in the murder.The Lahore High Court has granted thirty days
protective bail to Hina Jilani. There has been an uproar among lawyers at
the manner at which this FIR was filed, since an FIR has already been filed
by Hina Jilani immediately after the murder, and thus the second FIR should
not have legally been accepted.

- In the meantime a Minister of the Government of Punjab state has
continued to accuse specific organisations and individuals; for example
Shirkat Gah has been accused of embezelling World Bank funds; both Shirkat
Gah and the World Bank have been issuing statements that the world Bnak
never granted any funds to Shirkat Gah and warned that false accusations
could lead to legal action; the women's shelter 'Dastak' run by Asma
Jahangir and Hina Jilani has been under attack by the same Minister; the
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has been stopped from publishing its
newsletter.

Posted below are a collection of statements and news clippings.

We urge you to keep up the pressure on the authorities of Pakistan and to
write again to the officals listed below in support of NGOs under attack;
these NGOs represent the hope for democracy in Pakistan and need our strong
support right now.

Marieme Helie Lucas
(International Coordinator, Network of Women Living Under Muslim Laws)
____________________________________________________________

WRITE TO:
Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif
=46ax: (92-42) 920 0130 and 920 0160

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Nawaz Sharif
e-mail: primeminister@p...
fax: (92-51) 920 8890 and 920 1545

=46ederal Minister of the Interior, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain
=46ax: (92-51) 920 2624

ADDITIONALLY, WRITE TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY AS CUSTODIANS
OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS TO PLEASE TAKE SUO MOTO NOTICE OF THESE ATTACKS

The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Ajmal Mian
=46ax: (92-51) 921 3452

Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid,
C/o Supreme Court of Pakistan
=46ax: (92-51) 921 3452

Chief Justice Lahore High Court, Justice Rashid Aziz
=46ax: (92-42) 735 5888
____________________________________________________
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::FACTS:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

(1.) HUMAN / WOMEN'S RIGHTS NGO'S (UPDATE - 24 May 99)

May 14:
Bin Yamin "vows to expose Akoja, Shirkat Gah and HRCP's activities".
Accusing them of "spreading vulgarity and obscenity in the name of human
rights" and "spreading immorality" he says that the "NGO mafia should be
eliminated"
Says in the next three months he will gather information about office
bearers and expose intentions and the workings of all registered NGOs (News
15-5-99)

May 15:
Lahore-based NGOs term the government's on-slaught against various NGOs and
human rights organisations "a bid to create an authoritarian state" and
express grave concern at government's hight-handedness and harassment of
civil society as a whole. (The News, Dawn, The Nation: 16-5-99

May:

Campaigns against specific NGOs.

Shirkat Gah:

May 15: Announcement that the government rejects the negative report
regarding violence against women presented at a seminar of the British
Council in Great Britain; investigations started against that NGO. (Jang
16-5-99).
Shirkat Gah accused of embezzling 8 crores (80 million) rupees of World
Bank money, announcement that organisational records have been pulled and
letter sent out (Ummat 16-5-99) SG bearers receives notice from
registration authority.

May 20: World Bank spokesperson terms the news item "baseless", states that
SG has not received any funding from the Bank (The Nation 21-5-99)

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP):

HRCP daily anti-NGO campaign on state owned/controlled TV in breakfast
programme Saverey-Saverey where Asma Jahangir and HRCP attacked by name and
NGOs attacked in general (see the News editorial 17-5-99)

May 21: Declaration of the HRCP newsletter concelled by the government on
pretext of not informing them of a change of address and change of
printers. (The News 22-5-99)
HRCP Joint Director and in charge of the newsletter replies that these
requirements were under an Ordinance (Press and Publications Ordinance
1963) which no longer exists.

(NB a failure to notify change of address has been used to deregister
organisations under the Social Welfare Ordinance)

Smaller NGO registered under the Social Welfare Department receive visits
from Department officials as well as members of the Special Branch and
Intelligence Bureau. The official performa requires investigations and
clearance from all three agencies (requires signatures of all three)
(attached)

May 18: Government announces that in future no NGO would be registered
under the Societies Act, all would be dealt with under the Social Welfare
Act. "The Government is extremely worried over the activities of several
NGOs, which it says are indulging in activities damaging the country at the
call of their foreign financiers. It wants to hurriedly proceed against
them and is searching for proof". (The Nation 18-5-99)

May 20: Announcement of an Ordinance to over-rule existing law being
promulgated in Punjab after approval from Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif
after briefing meeting to be held on Friday (21_5-99)
The Ordinance will:
* Give the provincial government powers to dissolve NGOs under the
Societies Act and seize their assets;
* Punishments (so far not elaborated) for those not maintaining or showing
their accounts
* Office bearers shall be held guilty of committing an offence in case of
any fault of the organisation unless they can prove that this was done
without their knowledge or consent,
* The registrar will have the sole power to dissolve the NGOs if he
believes that "The society is acting in a manner prejudicial to the
public's interest or in a manner contravening its mandate". Any appeal
against such a dissolution can be made to the provincial government whose
decision will be final.
* Only complaints of the government department against an organisation will
be entertained in court.

Accounts:
* To be held only after scrutiny and approval of the registrar in a bank of
the government's choice,
* Registrar or person nominated by him will have right to inspect accounts,
securities and other properties at any time.
--------------------------------------------------
(2.) For immediate release

The World Bank
News Release No. 99/2086/SAS

Contact:
In Islamabad: Shahzad Sharjeel: (051) 819-781
Internet: SSharjeel@W...
In Washington: Zita Lichtenberg: (202) 458-7953
Internet: Zlichtenberg@W...

SHIRKAT GAH HAS NOT RECEIVED WORLD BANK FUNDING
Islamabad, May 20, 1999. Referring to a news item appearing in an Urdu
daily in its May, 16, 1999 issue, alleging that Shirkat Gah - a
non-governmental organization- has embezzled Rs 80 million from a World
Bank fund, a spokesperson of the Bank has termed the news item a baseless
because the said NGO has not received World Bank funding.

-------------------------------------------------
(3.) May 25, 1999 PRESS RELEASE [From Shirkat Gah]

Shirkat Gah strongly contradicts the statement of Punjab Social Welfare
Minister, Pir Binyamin Rizvi alleging that Shirkat Gah has received Rs. 800
million from the World Bank. Despite the Bank's clarification (published in
English and Urdu papers on 21-05-99) that Shirkat Gah has never received
any funding from the Bank, the Minister has repeated this false and
defamatory allegation.

Shirkat Gah views this as another instance of the Minister's irresponsible
attitude. This is part of the on-going vilification campaign against
organisations whose services in the field of human rights and women rights
have not only been acknowledged by the sitting government and successive
regimes, but also internationally. The Minister's other allegation of
Shirkat Gah's refusal to provide audited accounts to the Social Welfare
Department is also not true. Shirkat Gah, in any case does not function
under the Social Welfare Department and is therefore not liable to provide
its accounts to the Social Welfare Department. Shirkat Gah's accounts are
regularly submitted to the Registrar Societies.

Shirkat Gah takes strong exception to the language used by the Minister and
the deplorable accusations made generally against NGOs. It urges the Punjab
Chief Minister to check Mr. Binyamin from making such statements, these are
only a reflection of his own mentality and give the government a bad image.

K. Mumtaz
Coordinator

-------------------------------------------------
(4.) Press Report in The Nation, May 21, 1999

SHIRKAT GAH HAS NOT RECEIVED WB FUNDING
Islamabad (PR). Referring to a news item appearing in an Urdu daily in its
May, 16, 1999 issue, alleging that Shirkat Gah - a non-governmental
organization- has embezzled Rs 80 million from a World Bank fund, a
spokesperson of the Bank has termed the news item a baseless because the
said NGO has not received World Bank funding.

-------------------------------------------------
(5.) Press Report in The News 26 May 99

HINA SLATES GOVERNMENT FOR VILIFYING DASTAK=0BBy our correspondent.=0BHuman
rights activists Hina Jillani has alleged the government is running a
vilification campaign against Dastak by using national resources and
without giving them a chance to clarify their position.=0B
She was addressing a press conference at Lahore Press Club Tuesday.
Briefing newsmen about Dastak, she said it has been working since 1991 and
a board of trustees including people like Abid Hassan Minto, Arif Nizami
and Saleema Hashmi as its members had been established in 1996.

She said Dastak provided shelter and legal aid to women and there were
certain rules for admission to the institution. More than 1,400 women had
been provided shelter and legal aid by Dastak since its inception, she
said, adding, "since '96, 56 women have been sent back to their homes after
reconciliation." Hina Jillani added they always tried to bring about a
reconciliation between the women and their families. =0B=0B"Many women come
with their children," she said, adding, "these children, who were 90 in
1995, are also given education, while the women are given skill training so
that they can earn their bread after leaving Dastak."

The language used by the officials had traumatised the women, she said,
adding such campaigns were launched whenever a woman from a rich and
influential family sought shelter in Dastak.

She said the campaigns against Dastak by by government agencies were also
based on the viewpoint of families of the women like Saima Waheed, Humaira
Mahmood and Samia Imran.

Talking about the security arrangements at Dastak, Hina Jillani said they
had enough security arrangements by the police. She said no man could go
there to meet women. "However, the women themselves can go out," she said,
dispelling the impression that the women had been imprisoned there.

"A list of women is given to AC Model Town fortnightly and a magistrate
also checks the record regularly," she added. She said the Punjab Social
Welfare Department had adopted the guidelines prepared by Dastak and
circulated the same to all darul amans in the province which provided legal
aid to women (QUID?) Some nine women had been killed in darul amans during
last four or five years, she added, clarifying that Samia Imran was not
killed in Dastak. "She was murdered in the office where women are provided
legal aid," she said.

"How is it un-Islamic to help a woman, " she questioned. "In fact, those
who think like that themselves have un-Islamic thoughts," she added. "Do
you think that a woman, who is compelled to leave her home, should be
exploited on roads, or given shelter in organisations like Dastak?" Hina
said.=0B
Dastak chairperson 'Tahira Mazhar Ali and members of board of trustees
including Haider Farooq Maududi, Shahtaj Qizalbash, Farida Shaheed, Fareeha
Zafar, Neelam Hussain, Samina Rehman and I.A. Rehman were also present.

Asma denies having Swiss accounts:

Human rights activist Asma Jehangir has denied having accounts worth
millions of dollars with Swiss banks and advocating cases against the
country's interests.=0B=0BIn a statement Tuesday, she termed the allegations
part of the campaign to malign her organisation. She said she had the right
to file a defamation case against the government if it failed to prove the
charges. Asma vowed to continue her struggle for human
rights.=0B=0B-----------------------------------------
(6.) Press Report in The News (26-05-99)
SECOND FIR IN SAMIA CASE DUBIOUS: JURISTS
by Jaffar Rehman

Lahore: Registration of two FIRs in the same case is illegal and the
unfortunate precedent set in this regard is likely to have serious
repercussions on the criminal justice system, legal experts told The News.
They were commenting on the registration of a new FIR in the murder case of
Samia Imran by the Peshawar police in Peshawar on Monday, accusing
advocates Hina Jillani and Asma Jahangir of abduction and murder in the
case of Samia Imran and another person, who was accused by those present at
the AGHS law firm office were the murder occurred some weeks ago of
shooting dead Samia.
An FIR had already been registered with Lahore police soon after the
incident. In this FIR it was stated by the complainant, Hina Jillani, that
Samia had been shot dead at the AGHS, in Hina Jillani's office, in the
presence of her mother. The man who had killed Samia was later shot dead by
a guard posted at the entrance of the AGHS law firm, while Samia's mother
and another relative accompanying her fled in a rickshaw, after taking
Shataj Qizalbash, a legal aid worker at AGHS, hostage. Shahtaj was released
some hours later.
Samia's parents, including her further Gulam Sarwar, a former president of
the Srahad Chamber of Commerce, had later left Lahore. In Peshawar, they
had accused senior lawyers Hina Jillani and Asma Jahangir of causing their
daughter's death.
" This is a case which had already been challaned [challenged?] after the
investigation of the Lahore police. Yet the Peshawar police have chosen to
register a fresh case, which is simply a reverse version of the statements
of the complainants and witnesses nominated in the first FIR. This is an
insult to the law and the lawyers community, " commented Dr. Khalid Ranjha
president of the Lahore High Court Bar Association and a senior advocate.
He was of the opinion that registration of the first information report
(FIR) of a case which had already been registered was " over-reaching " the
bounds of the criminal justice system. He said the lawyers would protest
against it. " The chamber of a lawyer is considered to be a sacred and safe
place; it is thus very insulting for them to face such a planned and
planted situation. The lawyers will chalk out their future line of action
for the supremacy of law and fundamental rights, " he asserted.
" The police cannot do such a thing if he knows of the first FIR. But if
the position is otherwise then the second FIR can be registered, " he
observed.
It may be noted the murder of Samia Imran, the allegations of her parents
involvement in the incident and reports of the case lodged in Lahore were
widely publicised at the time.
Barister Khalid, a prominent lawyer, opined the second case registered by
the Peshawar police was " a good case for seeking its quashment from the
Peshawar High Court. "
Qureshi Muhammad Hafeez, former standing counsel for the Federal
Government, said registration of a second FIR in a murder case was " not
permissible. " He said the superior courts have given a number of
judgements on this issue and almost all the petitions seeking directions
for the registration of a second FIR or another case were not allowed. He
however, pointed out that in the Mir Murtaza Bhutto case two FIRs were
lodged, one by the police and the other by Ghinwa Bhutto on the orders of
the Sindh High Court. The difference in the present case and Mir Murtaza
Bhutto case was that the first FIR in Murtaza's murder was registered by
the police, i.e a government functionary, whereas the second was registered
on the report of the widow. In Samia's case both the FIRs have been
registered by private parties for which prima facie there seems to be no
ground. Khadin Hussain Khokhar and Naseer Ahmad Baloch advocates lamented
the implication of a prominent lawyer in an alleged murder case and said
members of legal fraternity should take serious notice of it. They
suspected some other motives behind this move. The said jurists said that
the human rights activities of Asma Jahangir and Hina Jillani and their
lambasting the violation of human rights and civil liberties had given a
jolt to the government which had launched a campaign against the NGOs so
that the persons active for the promotion and cause of human rights could
be targeted.
=46ormer assistant advocate general Hasnat Ahmad Khan said if the second
version was just an explanation of the first FIR then the second FIR could
not be registered, and the counter version could be recorded during the
investigation of the first FIR under section 161 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure. On a question as to what the police would do if an FIR was
registered in the NWFP about the same incident, the counsel said as the
occurrence took place in Lahore (Punjab) the second FIR registered at
Peshawar was " illegal ad void ab initio. " He added " the aggrieved party
might approach the high court concerned for the quashment of the second FIR
as its registration at Peshawar was totally without jurisdiction ".
-----------------------------------------------
(7.) Press Report in The News - 27 May 99

NGOs FOR BINYAMIN'S RESIGNATION
ISLAMABAD - The coalition of Rawalpindi-Islamabad NGOs (CORIN) Wednesday
condemned the language used against NGOs by the Punjab Minister Pir
Binyamin Rizvi and demanded his resignation.=0B=0BAddressing a press confere=
nce
the members of CORIN and heads of different NGOs also demanded public
apology from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz
Sharif. Binyamin in his interview to a newspaper said that NGOs are
involved in supplying girls to the high government officials to get their
jobs done.

Omar Asghar Khan an active executive of CORIN and founder of Sangi (NGO)
said, "we specially demand apology from Shahbaz Sharif who claimed to be a
follower of good governance, to get resignation from his cabinet member
like Binyamin and tender public apology."

Dr Zafar Khan Executive Director of Network said, "Binyamin should come out
with evidence against NGOs to prove his latest allegations, otherwise the
Prime Minister and the Chief Minister should tender public apology."

The CORIN condemning the hostile steps of the government against the NGOs
was of the view that government fearing voice against its wrong doings
wanted to bulldoze NGOs. The operation against NGOs, initiated from Punjab
has now spread to other provinces. "Hostility against NGOs is undermining
the efforts made by these volunteer organizations working in different
sectors including health, education, community-based work, rural
development, environment protection, etc." Zafar said.

The CORIN alleged that the government has dissolved as many as 2500 NGOs in
Punjab, Sindh and NWFP provinces without following a transparent process.
Saba Khattak, Irfan Mufti, Zafar and Omar in a joint statement said, "the
way adopted by the government to dissolve the NGOs does not augur well for
a civil society in democratic country like Pakistan."

On behalf of Pakistan NGO Forum, the CORIN demanded that responsible
government ministers, advisors etc. should stop making vulgar and obscene
statements against NGOs activists and organizations.=0B=0BTo restore the ima=
ge
of NGOs, the government should make public statements like a democratic and
civilized state.=0B=0BThey also demanded that use PTV to malign human rights
and women's rights organizations should be stopped forthwith. The
government should invite all those organizations, which have been targeted
to live panel discussion on PTV to facilitate frank and open dialogue. The
intimidation and harassment of NGOs CBOs staff by frequent visits of
intelligence agencies should be stopped forthwith. The de-registration
campaign against NGOs should be immediately stopped and the case of
dissolved NGOs should be reviewed in a transparent manner.=0B=0BThe circulat=
ion
and use of irrelevant questionnaires to intimidate and incriminate NGOs
should be stopped forthwith.=0B
The government should observe the principles of participation and
transparency in any initiatives, which could affect the functioning of
NGOs. The NGOs reject the government's drafted a so-called NGO Bill that
aimed to restrict and control the NGO sector. The existing NGO laws are
should be made more enabling.=0B
They also demanded to enhance the capacity of the social welfare department
so that it could play an enabling role instead of being used as an agency
of control - NNI.
-----------------------------------------------
(8.) Press Report in The News 25 May 99

NGOS UNDER FIRE IN NEW CAMPAIGN
Similar efforts also made in the past; new registration forms, laws being
finalised
By Sultan J. Qureshi

Lahore: Recent attempts to curb NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations)
activities on various ground s is being seen by many as an attempt to gain
control over independent NGOs, rather than to serve the public cause by
clamping down on organisations acting merely for profit by misusing funds
behind a facade of welfare work.
The Punjab Social Welfare Minister, Pir Binyamin Rizvi, who is leading the
actions has however consistently denied any such move, stating the
government is eager to stop groups acting against the national interest,
while pointing out that a vast majority of NGOs were found to be bogus.
After swiftly scrapping 1,941 NGOs some weeks ago, Binyamin Rizvi has been
accusing some NGOs of working against Pakistan and the ideology of the
country. The minister has so far not named any particular NGO, but a spate
of actions against the internationally known Human Rights Commission of
Pakistan (HRCP) and other groups seems to suggest the direction of
administrative moves.
A number of NGOs, including Shirkat Gah, a body working essentially to
research issues linked to women's welfare , the legal rights and community
work; Aurat, a group carrying out research and work on raising awareness
among women and Ajoka, a theatre group which first began performing plays
under the regime of the late General Ziaul Haq, are also said to be at the
forefront of the evidence-collecting exercise presently being carried out.
Shirkat Gah, headed by well-known activist Khawar Mumtaz, has already been
served a notice asking it to explain its position regarding funds and other
matters. The reason for the actions is unclear, especially since the Ajoka
theatre group, staging street plays to raise awareness on a variety of
issues, Aurat and Shirkat Gah have remained non-controversial in the past.
The HRCP too, which speaks out routinely on national issues, has never been
accused of malpractices. It's current chairperson is Asfandyar Wali.
All the four named NGOs, as well as others, are well established, in most
cases with office premises, known office holders and a record of work
visible to most.
Last week, the government cancelled the declaration of the HRCP's quarterly
newsletter claiming the organisation did not respond to the notice sent to
them for non-compliance with the rule of sending two copies of the
newsletter to the government and notifying a change in address and the
printers.
The HRCP has maintained it was regularly sending the copies, whereas it was
not aware that under existing publication rules it was required to notify a
change in premises. It also says no notice was received by it.
Interestingly, this is not for the first time that the government has
started a move against NGOs. There have been similar attempts in the past.
In August 1994, the then Punjab minister for social welfare Badarud Din
Chaudhry also issued statements about taking stern action against NGOs. A
draft legislation in this regard was also made to be presented before the
National Assembly. This ignited a long debate at that time as well, which
finally faded out without making any headway either way.
However, this time the government action has come with great speed and
fury. Criminal cases, with the Anti Corruption Establishment (ACE) have
also been registered against NGOs who have not provided or refused to
provide audit reports of their accounts to the government.
Against the general impression that NGOs are a relatively new phenomena in
this part of the world, the concept of welfare and reformatory committees
involving and organizing people at the grassroots level has existed since
long. The Agha Khan Rural Support Programme, Orangi Pilot Project, Human
Rights Commission of Pakistan, Ansar Burni Trust, Women Action Forum and
Aurat Foundation are few names that have been playing an important role in
community development, poverty alleviation and awareness raising. Other
NGOs, linked to women's welfare or family planning, in some cases date back
to the days before Partition.
According to a survey by the Planning and Development Division, there were
some 6,500 NGOs registered in Punjab alone. All but a few hundred NGOs did
not submit their audits to the government. The majority of these NGOs are
small, operating at local levels. They are predominantly charity or welfare
oriented but have little to do with development.
It is also clear many are in fact dummy organisations, and after a proper
survey need to be eliminated. In some cases, such outfits do not even have
an office, and money goes straight into the pockets of the 'office-bearers'
running them. In other instances they are fooling people in the name of
providing education, drug rehabilitation or other facilities, employing
unqualified staff and charging high fees for these non-existent services.
It is clear the main thrust of any action must be directed against such
bodies, in some case causing real harm to innocent citizens.
The larger NGOs are well-established, professionally managed, often with a
body of paid staff. These are mostly urban-based and because they are
sustained through donor agencies, their information of objectives is
closely linked with the availability of donor funds. Besides other
allegations against the NGOs, embezzlement of funds is another point that
the government is working on.
Interestingly, funds misappropriation was the main reason which emerged for
several government programmes to end without bearing fruit. The 'five
point' programme of the Junejo government, the People's Works Programme of
the Benazir Bhutto government and Tameer-e-Wattan Programme of the Nawaz
Sharif government were mostly used for political patronage rather than for
people's development. As such, the gap between the 'haves' and 'haves not'
has been increasing over the time.
These ground conditions in fact played a part in giving rise to the NGOs,
in order to try and address the grave imbalance in all socio-economic and
political sectors of society. The poorest sections of society, who are
mostly excluded from the government poverty alleviation programmes, are the
target of the work of various NGOs, such as Akhtar Hamid Khan's
Karachi-based Orangi Pilot Project - which has become a model for similar
work for social upliftment around the world.
The failure of Junejo's Housing Scheme is one example which proves that the
development schemes carried out without consulting the beneficiaries could
result in waste of resources. On the other hand, the flood resistant
housing schemes of Pattan development Organisation in the flood prone areas
of Shamsabad (Dist Sargodha) and Sunakhi (Dist Muzaffargarh) are successful
because the community was involved in designing construction and management
of project.
Similarly, other NGOs have involved themselves in works aimed at raising
awareness about human rights, acting to try and curb violations, checking
instances of injustice or carrying out much needed research work into
issues such as development, the rights of women, awareness among various
sectors as to their rights and so on=8A
International awards given to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and
worldwide recognition of the services of many other NGOs are proof that
these NGOs are serving a cause. Acting against them only because some are
perceived as raising points which criticise governmental policy amounts to
seeing matters in a highly negative light. Rather than lashing out against
the HRCP's report for 1998, which pointed to instances of police torture,
'encounter' deaths, violence against women and so on - the national cause
may have been better served by at least looking into these issues, and
amending matters where truth was found behind the extensive data collected.
In its apparent attempt to subdue the NGOs, the government is currently
working on a new registration law in which it is proposed to make
compulsory for a detailed form, including views on religious, ideological
and other matters to be filled out in detail. It is not clear if only those
heading NGOs, or all its members too, are expected to complete the forms -
or what the situation will be in the case of NGOs run by Christians.
The NGOs, under the new registration regulations, will also have the
guarantee that they will not work against Islam and the State, and are
bound to provide annual statements of their accounts being spent on their
projects. However, the NGOs have fortunately been given the right to appeal
against the cancellation of the registration. The summary in this regard
has been sent to the chief minister with suggestion to lift the ban on new
registration of NGOs.
It is not clear if any evidence exists at present with the government on
anti-Sate activities involving an NGO. If such proof exists, as has been
indicated by Pir Binyamin, it is imperative it be produced before the
courts, so action can be swiftly taken against those engaged in such
offences, ranked as among the most serious of crimes, so that due
punishment under the law can be meted out without delay.

--------------------------------------------
(9.) Press Report in THE NATION, May 18, 1999

PUNJAB GOVT PREPARES LAW TO REGULATE NGOs
=46rom Tariq Butt,
ISLAMABAD - A law to regulate Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) is
ready to be introduced in Punjab any time, which will serve as a model for
other provinces to follow.
The umbrella law is part of a concerted campaign launched by the Punjab
government against fake and fraudulent NGOs, which are in abundance not
only in the majority province but also in Sindh and other parts of the
country.
In a major move, the Punjab government rescinded registration of nearly
4000 NGOs a few week back after thorough scrutiny spanning several months.
An official told The Nation that after this action, the Sindh government
revoked registration of as many as 371 NGOs and is engaged in scrutinising
the affairs of 6000 similar bodies.
"Hardly half a dozen of all these NGOs are genuine and doing a fine job
while the remaining are either non-functional or fraudulent."
Thousands of NGOs (45000 only in Punjab) have got themselves registered
under the Societies Act., while a comparatively lesser number has been
registered under the Social Welfare Act.
The official said that provincial social welfare departments, which monitor
the working and functioning of the NGOs, is incapacitated to do this job in
the case of those registered under the Societies Act.
He said that the government has involved its different agencies to look
into the affairs of a large number of NGOs. He said that as reports are
received from them, legal action is taken against these organisations.
It has been decided that no NGO would be registered in future under the
Societies Act and those seeking registration would be dealt with under the
Social Welfare Act only so that proper monitoring of their functioning
could be done.
The government is extremely worried over the activities of several NGOs
which, it says, are indulging in activities, damaging country, at the call
of their foreign financiers. It wants to hurriedly proceed against them and
is searching for proof before taking action against them.
At the same time, powerful NGOs are covering their flanks to counter the
government action, and according to one report they are preparing to
challenge it in a superior court.
The dubious activities of a large number of NGOs, which serve as
money-minting machines in several cases, are no secret. Foreign financiers
successfully air and project their views and stands on different issues
through these bodies.
However, there are organisations which are actually doing welfare work in
different areas.
-----------------------------------------------
( 10.) Press Report in THE NEWS (Pakistan) 25 May 99

LAW TO CURB ANTI-STATE ACTIONs SOON
by Arslan Rafiq Bhatti

LAHORE: "The government will soon make tough laws to check the illegal
activities of the NGOs and will give exemplary punishment to those involved
in anti-State and illegal activities," said Punjab Social Welfare Minister
Pir Binyamin Rizvi in an interview with The News. He said the law will have
two main parts 1) No NGO will be allowed to work against Pakistan and 2)
Bound to provide record of money they got and where it was spent. He said
all the NGOs were free to work on the charter they were registered on and
they were bound not to deviate from their original path of work. He added
after the legislation, all the NGOs would be paid by cheque through the
State Bank.
Binyamin explained about 90 per cent of the NGOs registered under the
Social Welfare Act were found to be bogus and an inquiry against those
involved in anti-State activies was under way. He said most NGOs were not
running public welfare programmes but instead were "doing politics" by
using the NGO platform and maintained some even refused to provide a record
of their activities and accounts to the government. This, is what caused
the recent action to dissolve some NGOs. "Besides, they get huge funds from
their donors but hoodwink them by paying paltry sums to their employees and
pocketing the rest of the salary mentioned themselves", Binyamin said.
He said the government or he had nothing against the NGOs and the action
taken was without discrimination."But whoever worked against Pakistan would
have to face the music he stated.He said he had no concern with the NGOs'
school's of thought but was worried by their actions. No NGO was working on
its charter, whether human rights or women rights. And though doing
politics was not objectionable, they should join a political party to
practice this.

"The government would not allow NGOs to do politics." He stressed. He said
the managements of most NGOs were misusing the platform and working against
the country, harming its interests internationally in return for lots of
money. He said they got money to defame the country from spots ranging from
Geneva to Washington.
Binyamin said that of 1,941 dissolved NGOs, 1,100 were ghost ones while the
rest were not providing annual records of accounts (audit reports) or their
activities were against their charters on which they were registered with
the department concerned. He said the dissolved NGOs had the right to
appeal and about 10 NGOs had already filed an appeal with the secretary,
including Kishwar Naheed - who has an NGO by the name of 'Hawwa'. He said
no institution conducted any accountability or ever checked their
activities for over five decades.
About financial assistance, the minister alleged Shirkatgah got Rs 800
million from the World Bank in the name of public welfare and the nation
had the right to ask its management where the money was being spent. He
maintained "the NGO had refused several times to provide an audit report to
the Social Welfare Department; which was intolerable".
About some NGOs which had accused him of one sided action he said the
Prime Minister, Chief Minister and he himself had nothing against them as
they believed NGOs have a very important role in the Third World, and the
Chief Minister himself had handed over some schools to NGOs. But his
government was against NGOs "involved in anti-State and anti-Islam
policies, working for and toeing the line of donor agencies after taking
money from them."

He added some NGOs were even providing "girls" to senior government
officials to get aid and clear the inquiries against them, alleging that
because he had unearthed the nefarious designs of some NGOs, he had
received several death threats from various quarters including the NGO
mafia. Binyamin however added he would continue his crusade against the
NGOs working against their charter and involved in anti-State activities.
He said the NGOs didn't want their activities and money matters revealed to
the public, so they were raising a hue and cry. He added in future every
NGO would have to provide its annual audit report to the department and
there would be a strict check on their activities.
----------------------------------------------
(11.) Press Report in The News, 28 May 1999

ACTION AGAINST 'ANTI-STATE' NGO'S MY DUTY: BINYAMIN
By Our Correspondent
Punjab Social Welfare Minister Pir Binyamin Rizvi has said exposing the
people who made a symbolic grave and spoke against the army is jehad. In a
statement here thursday, he said being a true 'patriot', it was his durty
to take action against all the NGO's working against the state.
He said he was unable to understand that accountability of NGO's was being
done in Pakistan then why the West was crying. He said it revealed that
those NGO's were working for their foreign masters and playing with the
sovereignity of the country. He said to save the country it was necessary
to check their activities and take action against all those working against
the state.

Binyamin said some NGO's had submitted a detailed report against him to the
United Nations while some non-Muslim NGO's representatives had started his
character assasination to stop him from the mission. He, however, said all
such steps could not stop him taking action against NGO's. He added the
government would always help and patronize the NGO's working for the public
welfare.

HINA SLAMS BINYAMINS REMARKS ABOUT DASTAK.

Human rights activist Hina Jilani has said Punjab minister Pir Binyamin
Rizvi's statements against Dastak proved that he is following the line of
Samia Imran's killers.

Expressing her astonishment of the ministers ignorance about his own
department, she said the Social welfare department had written a letter to
all deputy directors, 'Darul Amans' superintendents vide letter No.
DWS-DIH (DAMS) 93-II despatched on September 10, 1996, In which the DASTAK
guidelines was sent to all 'Darul Amans'.

Hina Said the record of the women murdered in Daul Amans during last four
or five years could be checked from newspapers
-------------------------------------------------

(12.) Press Report in The News, 28 May 1999

HINA GETS PROTECTIVE BAIL IN SAMIA MURDER CASE
Our Correspondent
THE Lahore High Court (LHC) granted thursday 30 days protective bail to
human rights activist, Hina Jilani in Samia Imran murder case lodged with
the Peshawar Police

Samia was killed at the AGHS office by a companiaon of her mother. However
the killer was shot dead by the security gaurd of the office. A case was
registered with Gulberg police. However, the father of murdered Samia
lodged another FIR with the Peshawar police, which Hina has challenged in
the LHC.

Granting bail to Hina Jilani, the court directed the police to provide a
copy of the FIR to the petitioner.

SAMIA MURDER ACCUSED ALLOWED PRE-ARREST BAIL

THE Lahore Sessions court s Thursday allowed interim pre-arrest bail to
four accused in Samia's murder trial.

Ghulam Sarwar Khan Mohammed Yousaf Sarwar, Mohammed Younus Khan and lady
Doctor Sultana Sarwar were granted bail at Rs. 2 lakhs [ 200,000] and one
surety each.

The accused were charged with being accessories to the murder of Samia,
daughter of Peshawar Chamber of Commerce's former president Sarwar Mahmand,
who was shot in Asma Jehangir's AGHS office. The court was adjourned till
19 June.
_____________________________________________________

------------------------------------------------------------------------

eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/act
http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications