ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said that the registration of the international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) was critical vis-a-vis security of the state. “Framing rules for the INGOs and registering them for the first time is a significant achievement which will bring transparency in the entire system of working of various INGOs in the country,” the minister said, while chairing a high-level meeting at Interior Ministry to finalise the process of registration of the INGOs. “This will also strengthen partnership between the government and the non-governmental sector putting this equation on solid foundation of trust and spirit to complement each other,” he said. The minister granted approval to 73 INGOs, allowing them to operate in the country and undertake various socio-economic projects. However, 23 INGOs were refused permission in view of their past performance and projects or due to certain activities falling outside their domain and stated purpose of their organisation. Cases of 20 INGOs were deferred and would be decided later on. Nisar appreciated the efforts of INGO Committee of the Ministry and concerned National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) officials for their tireless efforts in complete the registration process which had taken place for the first time in the history of the country. The minister also appreciated the role of INGOs towards making the registration process a success. He directed the ministry that only those INGOs who could not secure approval during the registration process should be given right to appeal. It was decided that details of approved and non-approved INGOs along with their past projects would be placed on the ministry’s website after finalisation. The meeting was also informed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), with the help of NADRA, had developed a system for the processing of information received from multitude sources to arrest most wanted human traffickers. The FIA has also put in place a mechanism for real-time information sharing with the relevant stakeholders and its field units. It was informed that for the first time in the history of the organisation, comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been formulated with technological support provided by NADRA to streamline and regulate efforts being made by the agency against the most wanted traffickers. The FIA is also preparing a database of all most wanted traffickers that would enable the agency to have the complete details of human traffickers and take concrete steps for their arrests. Moreover on the ninister’s directions, FIA has established a dedicated Human Trafficker Cell within the headquarters mandated to maintain and update database and coordinate with all relevant agencies including NADRA, IMPASS, FBR, PTA, State Bank of Pakistan and others. FIA has also appointed focal persons in all provinces for dealing with the MWTs cases of their respective zones. The meeting was informed that FIA’s Inter Agency Team had been constituted which would hold regular meeting after every two months to review the progress into the arrests of human traffickers. “After having completed the process of collecting information about human traffickers, all out efforts should be made to apprehend these criminal,” Chaudhry Nisar said. “The assistance from provincial governments, civil armed forces and other law enforcement agencies should also be sought in this regard to finish the agenda at hand. Red warrants should be issued against those most wanted traffickers who were out of the country,” he said. The meeting was attended among others by the Interior secretary, the advocate general, the NADRA chairman, the FIA acting DG and senior officials of the ministry. Published in Daily Times, June 23rd, 2017.