Shut down, pack up and get out. This is the message conveyed in no uncertain terms to the international aid community here in Pakistan — with some 29 international non-governmental organisations being given just 60 days to do exactly that. No explanation offered. Among those affected are ActionAid, Plan International and Marie Stopes. And project directors are rightly concerned about the impact of indefinitely suspending ongoing programmes; both in terms of those who such ventures are designed to help as well as local staff who will soon find themselves out of jobs. We sincerely hope that that the government has thought this through. Meaning that it will have to step in to fill the gap when it comes to delivering education, healthcare and sanitation services. Presumably, the state has already made the necessary budgetary adjustments. Pakistan is routinely scoffed at in the international media for being a paranoid nation. And, to some extent, this is true. Very little transparency exists between the citizenry and the Centre. Yet at the federal level, there is, sadly, reason to be slightly cautious when it comes to the intentions of some of our foreign guests — especially given the state of relations with particular governments. Thus, in this regard, the US must bear much of the burden for Pakistani suspicions. For even before the CIA-run fake polio campaign that is said to have captured Osama Bin Laden — there have been rumours. Particularly of the CIA hiding behind INGOs in order to spy on this country’s security establishment in a bid to determine purported ties to terrorist outfits, such as Al Qaeda. Not to mention attempts to keep an eye on how our nukes are transported. This was back in the immediate aftermath of the 2005 earthquake. Of course, our security apparatus may or may not be guilty of much the same. Meaning that there has long been speculation about the latter using INGO workers going out into the field, especially in restive areas, to effectively spy on locals in return for protection. All of which begs the question as to why now kick INGOs out of the country; especially so close to elections? Sadly, if there is something afoot – the people of this country will be the last to know. The larger question here is that what is the message Pakistani state is giving to the rest of the world? That it penalises all aid work just because a handful were dubious in the past. The responsibility for clearances, supervision rests with the federal authorities, which instead of improving their efficiency are closing shops. The last thing we need is an image of a xenophobic society and a dysfunctional state that cannot discharge its regulatory functions? Published in Daily Times, December 17th 2017.