Attock administration reviews NGO registration and regulation

Additional Deputy Commissioner Municipal Services Anil Saeed chaired a meeting with officials of the Social Welfare Department

RAWALPINDI: Additional Deputy Commissioner Municipal Services Anil Saeed chaired a meeting with officials of the Social Welfare Department and representatives of other concerned departments to review the registration, record-keeping and activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Attock district.

The meeting, held at the ADC’s office, focused on improving the registration mechanism for welfare organisations, ensuring compliance with relevant rules and regulations and strengthening coordination between NGOs and government departments.

Deputy Director Social Welfare Officer (SWO) Haseeb Khalid gave a detailed briefing to the meeting regarding the existing registration procedure for NGOs. He also informed the participants about the activities being carried out by registered organisations, applicable laws and regulations, and measures being adopted by the department to maintain updated and organised records.

Officials discussed the need for an effective regulatory framework through which the activities of NGOs could be monitored while ensuring that organisations genuinely working for public welfare receive appropriate support and facilitation from the district administration.

The meeting also considered ways to make better use of the services and resources offered by welfare organisations for the benefit of local communities. Participants agreed that registered NGOs should be connected with the district administration and relevant government departments through a structured coordination mechanism.

Officials said improved coordination could help avoid duplication of welfare activities and ensure that assistance reaches deserving and vulnerable people more effectively. Such cooperation could also allow government departments to identify areas where welfare organisations could contribute according to their expertise and available resources.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Municipal Services Anil Saeed directed the concerned officials to ensure that the registration process for NGOs was carried out transparently and strictly in accordance with the prescribed rules and procedures. He stressed that all relevant documentation and records should be maintained properly to ensure an organised system for monitoring registered organisations.

The ADC also called for encouraging NGOs that are actively contributing to public welfare and providing services to communities. He said welfare organisations could play an important role in supporting government efforts in areas such as assistance to deserving families, community development and other social welfare initiatives.

Anil Saeed emphasised that effective coordination between government institutions and welfare organisations was necessary to improve service delivery. He said that government departments and NGOs should work together to identify genuine public needs and develop mechanisms for providing timely assistance.

He further directed officials to regularly monitor the activities of registered NGOs and conduct periodic reviews of their performance. The monitoring process, he said, should focus on ensuring compliance with applicable regulations as well as assessing the effectiveness and public benefit of welfare projects.

The meeting also stressed the importance of maintaining reliable and updated information about NGOs operating in the district. Proper records would help the administration remain informed about the organisations working in different areas and facilitate coordination whenever their services are required.

The officials agreed to continue reviewing the registration and regulatory mechanism and take necessary steps to strengthen cooperation between welfare organisations and government departments.

The meeting concluded with directions to the concerned departments to ensure transparent registration, regular monitoring and improved coordination so that the services of registered NGOs could be utilised more effectively for the welfare and assistance of the public in Attock district.