Islamabad
\nMuhammad Amin, Chairman of Fair Trade in Tobacco, has lauded the Ministry of Interior for its decisive action in halting the operations of two international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) and Vital Strategies, which the Bloomberg Foundation was funding.
\nThe Ministry\u2019s intervention has exposed the so-called public health organizations that were operating in violation of Pakistani laws, engaging in financial misconduct, and undermining the nation\u2019s economic sovereignty.
\n\u201cThese organizations, while posturing as public health advocates, were rife with corrupt practices. Reports suggest that donor charity was funneled through their associates, some locally registered NGOs, pseudo-policy think tanks, and even one-desk organizations allegedly operating from a public university in Islamabad,\u201d said Muhammad Amin. \u201cSuch actions raise serious questions about their motives and compliance with Pakistani regulations.\u201d
\nThe Ministry of Interior\u2019s directive not only barred these INGOs from further operations but also led to the freezing of their accounts by the State Bank of Pakistan.
\nThis decisive move underscores the government\u2019s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting Pakistan\u2019s national interests.
\n\u201cThese INGOs have brazenly operated without registration or authorization from the Ministry of Interior, the Economic Affairs Division, or the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
\nDespite these violations, they managed to infiltrate federal and provincial organizations, influencing policies and funding dubious media campaigns instead of addressing critical issues such as the illicit tobacco trade,\u201d added Amin.
\nThe Chairman of Fair Trade in Tobacco called on the government to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the ingress of these INGOs into various federal and provincial organizations.
\n\u201cWe must determine how these organizations were able to collaborate with various institutions, such as the Health Services Academy and the Tobacco Control Cell, and why their local partners were allowed to function without the necessary legal authorizations,\u201d Amin emphasized.
\nHe further appealed to the government to scrutinize the role of these INGOs and their local collaborators in potentially abetting tax evasion. \u201cIt is deeply concerning that these organizations targeted the legitimate tobacco industry, which contributed Rs. 291 billion in taxes during FY2023-24 while remaining silent on tax-evading entities producing illicit tobacco products. This selective activism raises serious doubts about their intentions,\u201d Amin stated.
\nHighlighting the broader implications of such activities, Amin stressed the importance of safeguarding Pakistan\u2019s economic sovereignty. \u201cAllowing unregulated INGOs to operate with impunity not only undermines the credibility of our governance systems but also sends a dangerous message to prospective foreign investors. It could deter much-needed foreign direct investment,\u201d he said.
\nAmin urged the government to implement stricter regulatory mechanisms to ensure that no such organizations can exploit the system in the future.
\n\u201cWe need to prioritize transparency and accountability to protect our national interests. The government\u2019s recent actions are commendable, but we must go further to ensure that Pakistan\u2019s economic sovereignty and governance systems remain resilient against such external interference,\u201d he said.
\nThe Fair Trade in Tobacco reiterates its unwavering commitment to advocating for transparency and fairness in Pakistan\u2019s trade and regulatory\u00a0ecosystem.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad Muhammad Amin, Chairman of Fair Trade in Tobacco, has lauded the Ministry of Interior for its decisive action in halting the operations of two international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) and Vital Strategies, which the Bloomberg Foundation was funding. The Ministry\u2019s intervention has exposed the so-called public health organizations that were […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-455239","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n