Role of NGOs in Pakistan
To discuss the role of NGOs in present day Pakistan, 1180 social activists from 840 organisations gathered under the Punjab NGO convention organised by Punjab NGO Co-ordination Council (PNCC) on July 18, 1999 at Alhamra Hall, .

The convention deliberated upon the role of NGOs in social development of the country besides analysing challenges and problems facing NGOs. The participants realised that in this critical situation when civil society is facing numerous challenges and threats from various quarters, there is a need to have a strong platform of NGOs to effectively address these issues and convey civil society's voice and concerns to policy makers and planners.

There were three main sessions during the day dealing with various aspects of the main theme. The other themes covered during the convention were:

  • NGOs' contribution in international development and advocacy campaigns
  • Challenges facing NGOs in Pakistan, and coalition/co-ordination with the state and government of
  • Coalition/co-ordination with civil society groups 
  • Media & public image of NGOs
  • PNCC and its public contacts: Strategic frame work
Legal frame work for NGOs (approval for the outline drafted for NGO bill) 
The convention took a special note of the current threats and malicious campaign carried out by the government against NGOs by the Punjab government. The participants realised that this campaign has undermined the efforts being made by NGOs and community-based organisations working in different sectors. The participants also lamented the use of state-controlled television to malign credible non-governmental organisations working on issues of human rights, environment, and women's rights. Furthermore, extremist lobbies have been incited and encouraged by the government to take the law into their own hands and act independently against organisations and individuals that work on issues centred around women's rights, human rights, and livelihood rights. 

The participants also condemned the government decision to dissolve approximately 2500 NGOs in Punjab, NWFP and Sindh without following a transparent process does not augur well for a nascent civil society in They demanded an immediate restoration of these organisations and their trust on the legal process would be restored.

The convention also passed a resolution demanding a proper recognition of NGOs' role and a conducive policy environment to work freely so that they can play their role in the society.

They resolved that the work of NGOs, spread all over the country, is commendable and needs to be encouraged as these organisations are working with limited resources and in difficult conditions. 

Speakers also stressed NGOs to take perform their role in terms of defining local agenda and strengthening civil society organisations against international forces working under the garb of globalisation.

The PNCC gave the following recommendations:

  • Protection of Basic rights.
  • Protection of the rights of the minority sections of society.
  • Better working environment for NGOs. 
  • The transparency of legislative process regarding the NGOs.
  • Media projection of the positive contribution of the NGOs.
  • End of partial criticism against the NGOs.
The PNCC also welcomed recent steps of the government that were aimed at promoting peace in the region, it said.

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