Pakist­an has toughe­ned its stance toward­s domest­ic and intern­ationa­l non-govern­mental groups­ISLAMABAD: Authorities have told at least 10 foreign-funded aid groups to close, including a charity founded by hedge fund billionaire and philanthropist George Soros. The country has toughened its stance towards domestic and international non-governmental groups in recent years, accusing some of using their work as a cover for espionage. The forum did not identify the 10 groups but two international groups, the Pakistani branch of the Soros’ charity the Open Society Foundations, and ActionAid, said they had been told they had to close. The Ministry of Interior, in a letter to one of the 10 groups said its registration application had been denied. The ministry lists 139 international non-governmental organisations (INGO) on their website that have submitted registration applications, of which 72 are still being processed.

Source: The Express Tribune December 13, 2017 13:30 UTC