i read somewhere that there are apparently 30,000 NGOs in Punjab alone. “Islamabad” itself should be called NGO city, practically every sector has at least a couple NGOs operating.
Not to deny the efforts of the select minority, but what’s the purpose of most of these? They seem to thrive on gaining foreign funding, preferably British or Canadian. You got foreign funding, you can do anything. i think the key to getting funding, particularly from ‘western’ countries, is if you include magical words in your org’s. mandate - magical words include but are not restricted to:
women’s development - western govts. read the word ‘women’ and ‘development’ and think - ooh la la, this must be good. Must liberate those poor hapless suppressed Paki women. pat on the back
environmental degradation - again, if your NGO is involved in sustainable environmental practices, then you are almost guaranteed western funding.
child labour - this is another hot one. Think Pakistan —> think children, think labour, think sweatshops, think mean employees who hit/molest their juvenile employees
What’s the point of this thread? It’s to question how useful, in practical terms, are the current majority of NGOs in Pakistan. They sprout like mushrooms, but very few actually seem to do anything in reality. i am not trying to be mean; i have a Khala and Khalu who are involved in this very type of work, in specific with the Aurat Foundation in Islamabad (my Khalu). i visited the office and didn’t really seem to comprehend what gains have been made. Yes they lobby for funding, they prepare reports on glossy papers, they host the big shots (usually white folks) when they come to town, but what’s actually happening on the ground? Is it making any difference ?
One Islamabad-based NGO i know that is making a positive difference is SACH, run by Dr. Khaleda (that’s her first name, i think, that’s what i called her, don’t know her surname).They actually seem to be making a positive difference Masha’Allah, with very limited funding. Whether the majority of NGOs in Pakistan are actually doing anything positive, is debatable i think.
Nadia: My own experiences are that well over two third of all NGO's in Pakistan are inactive or not worth even considering as NGO's. The main issue is one of grass roots organisations, and most of the ones around are not even close to that, they are essentially sub contractors for Western or Middle Eastern Aid organisations and are out to promote their donors own political agenda. Pakistan's few grass roots movements are looked down upon by the government because they are not easy to manipulate. The end result is famous social scientists like Akhtar Hameed Khan ended up failing to make any difference. That is why you have no parable to Grameen Bank in Pakistan.
[QUOTE] Originally posted by Zakk: *
Nadia: My own experiences are that well over two third of all NGO's in Pakistan are inactive or not worth even considering as NGO's. The main issue is one of grass roots organisations, and **most of the ones around are not even close to that, they are essentially sub contractors for Western or Middle Eastern Aid organisations and are out to *promote their donors own political agenda.** Pakistan's few grass roots movements are looked down upon by the government because they are not easy to manipulate. The end result is famous social scientists like Akhtar Hameed Khan ended up failing to make any difference. That is why you have no parable to Grameen Bank in Pakistan.
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That's what i was trying to say in my round-about way, you stated it in half a sentence.
yes, sadly of the numerous NGOs we have here in pakistan only a handful actually do what they were formed for. it has almost turned into a quick, cheap and easy way of starting an own business and gather publicity and funds for free and then use them for whatever the so called charity workers want. many influential people and even some former federal ministers who are held in very high regard at home and abroad have been involved. they get all the funds from everywhere due to their connections and contacts and no one ever knows what they are used for...
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Zakk: *
most of the ones around are not even close to that, they are essentially sub contractors for Western or Middle Eastern Aid organisations and are out to promote their donors own political agenda.
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Agreed :)
As NGO Employee I will state.... Majority of these NGO's ot INGO's has their own Missions.
And.. For majority of the Local NGOs owners or caretakers its more a business than welfare to ppl.