What is NGO
NGO stands for Non-Governmental Organization. It is an organized group of people registered under government authority that works voluntarily for social development. According to the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance, 1961, "voluntary social welfare agency" means an organization, association or undertaking established by persons of their own free will for the purpose of rendering welfare services in any one or more of the fields mentioned in the Schedule and depending for its resources on public subscription, donations or Government aid.
NGO operates within a specific area and fields under rules as defined by the government. It helps to reach the gross roots level of society in the development process. The government empowers NGOs to identify, develop, execute, manage and evaluate their programs.
NGOs are now recognized as an essential part of a vibrant civil society. To add on governments efforts to speed up development process, the NGOs motivate voluntary efforts on the basis of self-help & mobilization of human and material resources.
NGOs also play an important role in bridging community and the nation building departments. They also help the departments in order to reach the grassroots level of the society especially people living in the rural, slum, katchi abadies and backward and remote areas.
NGOs in Pakistan
To register NGOs, Trust and Societies there are several authorities like Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA), Ministry of Interior and Departments of Provincial Governments. ICTA registers NGO/ NPO under Societies Registration Act, 1860 and Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration &Control) Ordinance 1961 likewise Provincial Governments; Punjab, Sindh, KPK and Balochistan control and register NGOs under The Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration & Control) Ordinance, 1961.
Acts and Ordinance
Mostly used Acts and Ordinance in Pakistan to control and register NGOs.
- Societies Registration Act 1860
- Trust Act 1882
- Cooperative Societies Act 1925
- Companies Ordinance 1984
- Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration & Control) Ordinance 1961